CYRNAME IN FALL DRAMA

Tumble overshadows Riders success

RIDERS ONTHE STORM won the prize but the biggest cheer after the Betfair Chase at Ascot came when Cyrname rose to his feet after taking a thumping fall at the last fence.

For five minutes, Cyrname was down on the Ascot mud concealed behind screens, and everyone feared the worst.

Harry Cobden, his rider, returned to the weighing room white-faced and speechless.

“That’s the biggest winner of the whole day when he got up,” said his relieved trainer Paul Nicholls. “It’s amazing that clapping, it’s unbelievable.”

“It just shows you what people think of horses, moments like that, how precious they are not just to us, but to everybody.”

Cyrname, the highest-rated jump horse in training, was attempting to resurrect his career after he had his nose bloodied by Clan Des Obeaux at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Nicholls added:

“There’s something missing, everybody will say it’s the Altior thing, when we beat him here in November.

“I can’t put my finger on it. He’s always had wind issues, it could something like that. He will not run again this season.”

Nigel Twiston-Davies, the trainer of Riders Onthe Storm, admitted he was a fortunate winner, not only from the departure of Cyrname but also after 50-1 outsider-of-four Traffic Fluide crashed out at the last fence.

Thankfully, Traffic Fluide and his rider Josh Moore also escaped unscathed.

“I think we were a lucky winner,” said Twiston-Davies.

“My horse was hanging all the way round so I think he will be better going the other way in the Ryanair at Cheltenham.”

Twiston-Davies did not need luck on his side when Ballyoptic galloped into the Grand National mix after taking the Swinley

Chase in the hands of trainer’s son Sam, also the partner of the Riders Onthe Storm.

“It was a proper National trial and the handicapper can’t do anything with his weight,” said Twiston-Davies.

“He is a better horse this season than when he fell at the fourth-last in the National last year when he was going okay.

“If the weights had not come out on Tuesday, he no doubt would have 8lb more on his back.”

Twiston-Davies, successful in two Grand Nationals, expects his son to ride Ballyoptic in the National.

EMITOM put himself in the picture for next month’s Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham after taking the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock.

“He’s only six and has got the world at his feet,” said his trainer Warren Greatrex. “I’ll speak to the owner but he’s in the Stayers’ picture now. To beat Paisley Park is a tall order but he’s an up-and-coming horse.”