Storming win after big Twist
RIDERS ONTHE STORM proved the menace, not Dennis, to lift the Betfair Ascot Chase.
As the royal racecourse stood firm against Storm Dennis – galeforce winds and driving rain had left the meeting in jeopardy – punters made Cyrname the 4-11 hotpot to beat three rivals and repeat his victory of 12 months ago.
But the highest-rated chaser in training was a beaten horse when crashing out at the final fence, where 50-1 shot Traffic Fluide was mounting a threatening challenge to Riders Onthe Storm and Sam Twiston-davies.
In a finish of high drama, the outsider also came down at the last obstacle, leaving 7-2 second choice Riders Onthe Storm to hold Janika by 14 lengths.
Trainer Nigel Twistondavies, sharing a top-level prize with his jockey son for the first time since the 2016 Cheltenham Festival, said: “We thought we’d come a good second, win £35,000 and go home very happy – but we’ve won £85,000 and gone home extremely happy!
“We were hopeful but you could never think you were going to beat Cyrname. Obviously he’s been having his problems.”
The winning horse was cut to 7-1, from 10-1, for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham next month.
Twiston-davies senior added: “He was hanging, so Cheltenham way round, probably better ground – I think we should be a good thing for the Ryanair!”
The screens were put up around a stricken Cyrname but, to a huge roar from the crowd, the eightyear-old got to his feet and walked away.
“That’s better than any winner,” said his relieved trainer Paul Nicholls.
“He’ll be back and that’s the main thing.”
SMOOTH STEPPER, who does not hold an entry at Aintree on April 4, sprang a 33-1 shock in Haydock Park’s Unibet Grand National Trial.