YESTERDAY’S RESULTS

CYRNAME will be fitted with blinkers again as he bids to regain his Betfair Ascot Chase crown on Saturday.

Paul Nicholls’ chaser, who won the race in 2019, but fell 12 months ago, disappointed in the King George on Boxing Day, and the trainer said: “I just think he was getting a bit lazy, racing behind the bridle, which isn’t like him.

“We worked him in them, and they made a big improvement. It’s just to sharpen him up really.”

Cyrname faces four rivals, including stablemate Master Tommytucker.

MOEEN ALI became the Chosen One by landing a bumper £700,000 Indian Premier League contract after his controversial departure from England’s tour.

All-rounder Moeen was snapped up by Chennai Super Kings at the IPL auction yesterday – just 48 hours after England captain Joe Root apologised for saying he had “chosen” to fly home.

Root apologised privately as his choice of words made it seem Moeen – always scheduled to miss the last two Tests in India to spend time out of the bubble at home with his family – was turning his back on the team after playing just one game.

Moeen (above) took eight wickets and top-scored with a six-spangled 43 off 18 balls in England’s 317-run second Test thrashing.

The 33-year-old had earlier contracted Covid and was forced to quarantine in Sri Lanka.

Although Moeen’s bumper IPL payday will separate him from his family again, it is handsome compensation. Jonny Bairstow, one of the players flying to India as reinforcements, said: “The qualities Mo has are worth every penny.”

South Africa’s Chris Morris and Australia’s Glenn Maxwell emerged as millionaires from the early round of the IPL players auction.