3 MILES, GRADE ONE

This promises to be an enthralling renewal — the effervescent CYRNAME bowling along at the head of affairs with Lostintranslation and the 2018 winner and runner-up, Clan Des Obeaux and Thistlecrack respectively, trying to expose any stamina issues.

Picking between the top two in the market is tough because they have done precious little wrong in their chasing careers. Cyrname is unbeaten in two starts at Kempton and the rollcall of his victims in recent times reads like a Who’s Who of National hunt racing.

Altior, Waiting Patiently, Fox Norton, Politologue and happy Diva are just some of the high-profile names to succumb to his enthusiastic, front-running displays as he has been transformed from a tearaway into the highest-rated chaser in training. The one issue with his chance today is his lack of winning form at three miles. But as Paul Nicholls, his trainer, is quick to point out, Cyrname is completely different to the free-running, excitable chaser of old and his jumping could just win him this event.

Lostintranslation boasted some of the best novice chase form last term and has continued to progress, lowering the colours of haydock specialist Bristol De Mai last time out. he is yet to prove his effectiveness at Kempton, but goes well right-handed and appears a huge threat if he is within hailing distance of Cyrname turning for home.

Clan Des Obeaux is perhaps the forgotten horse of the race, but he has been trained for today’s renewal and could spring a mini shock.