The Timeform King George view: Speed-favouring Kempton is ideal for Cyrname – Racing TV
When it comes to finding the key to a horse it is hard to argue that there is a better trainer around than Paul Nicholls – and Cyrname is a prime example.
The seven-year-old did not pull any trees up in three starts over hurdles upon joining the yard in the 2016-17 season, but proved a different proposition when sent chasing the following campaign, developing into a high-class novice with notable wins in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase and Pendil Novices’ Chase, both at Kempton, where he made all each time.
Cyrname made a slow start last season, getting beat fair and square at Carlisle and Ascot. However, it was all change on his third start that season, Nicholls surprisingly opting to remove the hood which Cyrname had worn on every start for the yard previously.
The decision paid dividends, with Cyrname putting up at devastating display in the bet365 Handicap Chase at Ascot, beating Doitforthevillage by 21 lengths.
It was that performance which marked Cyrname down as a top-class performer, his front-running, bold-jumping racing style a joy to watch. The question was, however, could he do it at the highest level?
Racing fans only had to wait four weeks to get their answer as Cyrname, returning to the same course and distance, beat a field in the Betfair Ascot Chase that included Waiting Patiently, Fox Norton and Politologue.
He didn’t just beat them, either, it was an utterly dominant display in a strong renewal, and he produced one of the best displays in the race this century on Timeform ratings.
After that performance the public were hoping Cyrname and Altior would cross paths, and the mouth-watering clash finally transpired at Ascot last month. The pair served up a treat in the 1965 Chase, a race that totally lived up to expectations as Cyrname proved better than ever to lower the colours of Altior, who had previously been unbeaten over jumps.
There were seemingly no excuses, either, as the heavily-backed Altior did not lack for fitness or stamina – he was just beaten by a superior horse on the day, one who, along with Kemboy, is Timeform’s joint highest-rated chaser in training.
It is a shame that we won’t see the rematch in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, but, even in the absence of Altior, it still looks a stellar renewal. Cyrname, who brings an unbeaten record at Kempton to the table, may get his own way out in front as he faces only five rivals and there looks to be a lack of pace in the race.
The step up to three miles is not a concern at Kempton, which is renowned as a speed track.
Over the past five seasons front-runners have a 34 per cent strike rate over fences at Kempton, with a £216.16 level-stake profit at Betfair SP. That is much higher than at Ascot, where front-runners have a 23 per cent strike rate over the same period, and a level-stake profit of £79.31 at Betfair SP.
Lostintranslation poses a threat to Cyrname, though there is a lot in the latter’s favour, and it will likely take a performance right out of the top drawer to lower his colours in the King George.