Racing Post – Altior vs Cyrname: Paul Nicholls wants rain to confirm Altior showdown

Video from Racing Post. Paul Nicholls has reported, Cyrname, to be in good form ahead of his potential clash with Altior in the bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown Park on 27th April 2019. The possible match-up has been eagerly anticipated ever since Cyrname was given an official rating of 178, 3lb superior to the two-time Champion Chase winner Altior, after his devastating display at Ascot where he beat his closest rival, Waiting Patiently, by 17 lengths in the Betfair Ascot Chase.

Nicholls said:

“Cyrname is fine, I mean obviously he hasn’t run since he won at Ascot, but he looks great now. He just was a little bit flat a week or so ago but that’s just him and he’s back in full cry again now.”

Nicholls was quick to point out that Cyrname’s place in the race would be dependent on the ground at Sandown. Nicholls said his seven-year-old would require it to be on the soft side, commenting:

“The only option we have got is Sandown and that would be if the ground was right. We would like to see it slow, if its fast there’s no way he’ll run again. We would look after him and look forward to him next season because the King George is his aim and we will work back from that. If we could go to Sandown, if the ground is soft enough it would be interesting”

On the possible clash with Altior, Nicholls added:

“It will be interesting, I mean it’s a bit of a disadvantage for us going back to two miles because we obviously would like to go a little bit further, hence I’d love to run him if the ground was testing. He really is a two-mile five furlong / two mile six furlong horse, who will get three miles.”

Tickets for the bet365 Jump Finale at Sandown Park on Saturday 27th April are on sale from https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/sandown/ or 0344 579 3012.

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