PRIZED SCALP FOR CYRNAME
Altior is finally defeated
IT WAS billed as the battle of heavyweights but Altior failed to land a punch when his winning sequence of 19 races ended with a bloodied nose from Cyrname at Ascot. Cyrname, under Harry Cobden, took up his customary front-running role as expected, but four fences from home Altior was wobbling under Nico de Boinville. Turning for home, Altior was clearly out for the count as Cyrname rightly took the applause. Winning trainer Paul Nicholls was far from gloating about his star’s majestic run. “What a race,” he said. “Two very special horses out there. It’s good for racing having two horses like this.
“Altior has been an amazing horse and it’s a credit to Nicky Henderson as he’s done tremendously well with him but they all get beat sometime.” Henderson put on a brave face as his warrior clearly was feeling the effects of a pummelling.
He said: “He’s run a really good race, to be fair. He’s just very, very tired.”
This was Altior’s first attempt at two miles and five furlongs but his trainer was not blaming a lack of stamina for the gelding’s defeat.
“It’s a tough race for them to come into first time out,” added Henderson.
“If he was going to get beat, it was first time out as he was vulnerable today.
“It was a great performance of front-running from the winner. We have to look onwards and upwards but where we go next, it has not answered those questions.”
Nicholls has no hesitation nominating Cyrname’s next appearance.
“That has set things up nicely for the King George VI,” said Nicholls, who will be seeking a record 10th victory in the race.
“It’s the perfect timing for that race. A flat track at Kempton, over three miles, will be ideal.
“We also have Clan Des Obeaux (winner of last year’s race) heading to Kempton.”
Cyrname heads the betting at 2-1 with Coral. Clan Des Obeaux gets a 4-1 quote and Altior is a 7-1 chance.
The Kempton headliner will present Cobden with a tough decision.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” said Cobden. “We got the job done and he was more relaxed today but it will give me a headache as to what I will ride at Kempton.”