Superb Cyrname ends Altior's undefeated run in thrilling Ascot clash

Cyrname, previously the rebel without a cause, found his calling as he brought down the Altior empire, ending a 19-win rule of the 2m chasing world, with a masterful performance in the Christy 1965 Chase.

It might have been a Grade 2 over an in-between distance of 2m5f but it felt like a world heavyweight title bout in the build-up, what with the BHA handicapper laying his reputation on the line in rating Cyrname 1lb higher than the winning machine.

There was no early sparring as Cyrname made the running but not with his previous uncontrolled one-breath dash and Altior was given the runaround, unable to land a blow but never throwing in the towel.

Cyrname (leading): hands Altior his first defeat over fences in the Christy 1965 ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Doubt for those who backed Altior into 1-3 from 4-6 in the morning started to creep in before the home turn as Nico de Boinville started to nudge Altior along to maintain a two-length deficit.

The dual Champion Chase winner closed a little and De Boinville only raised his whip for the first time between the last two fences but to no further avail.

To the uninitiated it might have looked a non-contest as Harry Cobden did not have to ask for overdrive with Altior only able to get to his tail two out.

Don't tell Altior that, as the champion was so on the ropes after the finish that his rider jumped off his exhausted partner.

But the winning rider said: "To be honest at halfway I was rather disappointed how he was travelling and he had come up out of my hands once which he doesn't normally do and I could hear Altior all the way.

"He was nearly impossible to hold last year but is really relaxing in his races now and I hope he gets three miles now."

Watch: Cyrname makes all to down Altior at Ascot

It will be upwards in trip and possibly onwards for Cyrname as Paul Nicholls added his name to the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day alongside his defending champion Clan Des Obeaux.

He was fleetingly favourite for the race before Lostintranslation gazumped him after his Betfair Chase win.

"That will give me a headache," added Cobden. "But let's enjoy tonight first."

The Ditcheat team will be doing that as Nicholls was full of praise for them helping turn Cyrname into a Grade 1 contender from a horse who a year ago trailed home off a mark of 150 in the handicap chase.

Cyrname leads Altior over a fence in the Christy 1965 ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cyrname's constant companion Scott Marshall was singled out for special mention in helping harness the natural exuberance which makes the seven-year-old such hard work.

The champion trainer said: "For the last three years he was a bit of a hooligan – he wanted to do everything in one breath.

"Today has unfolded as we thought and I did wonder if we could outstay him on this ground – Ascot last time was no fluke and he never got the credit for it and proved it was no fluke today."

As to Cyrname's King George prospects, Nicholls added: "He has won round Kempton as well [the Wayward Lad and Pendil], it's the right way round and the flat track will be better for him again. Suddenly there is so much more for him and as you know we love the King George!

'Bring on round two' says Henderson

"It is as good a King George entry I have seen and it should be spectacular."

That’s good news for racing, which somehow felt the loser after Altior’s remarkable run ended in this tense encounter in which he was unable to lay a glove on the challenger.

The betting was equally one-way traffic but in the wrong direction as Altior was backed as if defeat was out of the question into 1-3 and Cyrname, a 5-4 chance earlier in the week, went out to 5-2 from 2-1 late on course.

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