Harry Cobden: we didn't see the true Cyrname in King George defeat

3.35 Ascot
Betfair Ascot Chase | Grade 1 | 2m5f | ITV/Sky

Harry Cobden is confident that Cyrname, who ended the record-breaking winning sequence of Altior in November, can reproduce that form when he returns to his favourite track on Saturday for the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase.

Although he ran a solid enough race to finish second to stablemate Clan Des Obeaux in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, it was widely accepted that Cyrname lacked his trademark sparkle.

Scott Marshall, the man credited with taming the wayward Cyrname, exercises his mount up the hill at DitcheatCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cyrname’s last three visits to Ascot have all been successful ones, including when he landed this race by 17 lengths from Waiting Patiently 12 months ago to put himself in the potential superstar category.

Cobden said: “He seems in good form at home. The race doesn’t looks as good as it was last year.

“He schooled in the week and jumped very well. For some reason or other he wasn’t quite right at Kempton. We’ve freshened him back up again and, from the trainer’s point of view, Paul [Nicholls] wouldn’t have left any stone unturned.”

Cobden said Altior’s win at Newbury last Saturday reflected well on the form of Cyrname's victory over him.

He said: “You look at Altior last Saturday, I rode Dynamite Dollars in that race who is not a slow horse, and Altior flew past us like a five-furlong sprinter to win.

"So Cyrname probably had a harder race than we initially thought in the Christy 1965 Chase in beating one of the best horses I’ve ever seen.

“I think if the same Cyrname that beat Altior turned up in the King George on Boxing Day, he’d have been extremely hard to beat."

Cobden, an ambassador for Great British Racing for the 2019/20 Jump Jockeys’ Championship, added: “All we can do now is look ahead, beginning with Saturday, and hopefully we’ll see the very best of Cyrname once again, because when he’s in the mood he’s unbelievable to ride.”

Nicholls, who has a 31 per cent strike rate so far this month, said: “Cyrname is bang fresh where he wants to be. He loves the track, and goes there in good shape.”

In terms of official ratings, Cyrname has 13lb and upwards in hand of his three rivals, all of whom he meets on level weights.

Janika, who is second-best on ratings, has suffered a couple of heavy defeats behind Defi Du Seuil in Grade 1 company since his victory in the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in November.

His trainer Nicky Henderson said: “He’s probably going to be chasing shadows [those made by Cyrname], but there’s plenty of prize-money available and only four runners. He’s already enjoyed a lucrative season. He’s doing well.”

Riders Onthe Storm, unbeaten in two starts for Nigel Twiston-Davies this season, takes a significant step up in class, but still brings untapped potential to the Graded scene.

He was most impressive over course and distance when slamming On The Blind Side by seven lengths in a graduation chase in December, and looks just the type to progress through the ranks for his excellent trainer.

Twiston-Davies said: “It’s a big mountain to climb; the ratings tell you that. Still, we’ll be there, and there’s plenty of prize-money on offer. He’s in good form.”

Gary Moore saddles Traffic Fluide, who hasn’t been seen on a racecourse since beating Art Mauresque by half a length in Ascot’s Grade 3 Sodexo Gold Cup in November 2018.

The Horsham trainer said: “He needs to run so he can be qualified to race in the Grand National, which is what he is being trained for. He’ll be trying his best but he’s a good-ground horse and there are only so many races a horse of his rating can run in. Hopefully he’ll get some decent prize-money for getting round.”

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