Ratings Update: Cyrname is the real deal

Ascot

The rescheduling of two races from Newbury’s ‘Super Saturday’ card meant that Ascot staged a jam-packed nine race card on Saturday, with no less than four graded contests.

The four-strong field for the rearranged Denman Chase was a slightly disappointing one, but while it appeared to be a penalty kick for the King George winner Clan des Obeaux (up 1 lb to 171), he impressed with the manner in which he brushed aside last year’s dual Grade 1-winning novice Terrefort (remains on 158) to win by 11 lengths. He travelled well and produced a smooth display of jumping, and while the three and a quarter mile trip posed by the Cheltenham Gold Cup may ultimately prove to be beyond him, he’ll be top of the list for Aintree and beyond.

King George winner Clan Des Obeaux gives weight and a hammering to Terrefort in taking the Denman Chase

Ten years afte @PFNicholls last won the Cheltenham Gold Cup is this his next winner in waiting of the big one? pic.twitter.com/R8IEFz08Bi

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 16, 2019

Novices have an excellent record in the Betfair Hurdle, and it was further improved by Al Dancer (up 10 lb to 148p), who put himself to the top of the shortlist for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with a smart three and three quarter length beating of Magic Dancer (remains on 127). The winner looked a cut above even off 12 lb higher than for his win at Cheltenham in December, and has all the tools to thrive in a well-run Supreme.

The star turn, however, came from Cyrname (up 8 lb to 173+) who produced an exceptional display (the fourth-best so far this season, bettered only by Altior) to blow away what was a strong field in the Ascot Chase. It’s possible that he will be supplemented for the Ryanair Chase on the back of this, for all that there are concerns about his ability to go left-handed, and he would be very difficult to stop if in the same mood. Last year’s winner Waiting Patiently (remains on 168, loses p) shaped as if needing the run on his first completed outing of the campaign, though he would have struggled to land a glove on Cyrname whatever the circumstances.

Finally, the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase was an RSA Trial in theory, but the winner Mister Malarky (up 3 lb to 144p) very much had the race set up for him, patient tactics paying dividends. He is still improving, though, and would have leading claims if taking his chance in next month’s National Hunt Chase.

Haydock

At Haydock, Quel Destin (up 1 lb to 137) won the Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle. He’s done very little wrong in his career so far, and is highly likely to show his form in the Triumph even if others prove to be better. 

The reliable Shades of Midnight (up 1 lb to 141) won the Rendlesham Hurdle, in which the odds-on favourite Yanworth (now 151?) was pulled-up between the last two. The winner is likely to continue to give a good account in this sphere in events where the emphasis is placed firmly on stamina.

That the finish to the Grand National Trial was fought out between three relatively-unexposed stayers suggests that it is form to be viewed positively, with Robinsfirth (up 6 lb to 152) fighting off the challenge of Ramses de Teillee (up 3 lb to 152p) to return to winning ways. The winner received a good ride from Sean Bowen and is one to consider for upcoming long distance events such as the Midlands or the Scottish Grand Nationals (not entered at Aintree). Ramses de Teillee was only collared close home by the winner’s strong late surge, and remains one to be interested in.

Only third jumping the last, Robinsfirth (8-1) comes through to land the #GrandNational trial at Haydock!

Catch up on all of today's results ➡https://t.co/7iJOPsdIyZ pic.twitter.com/vCkHrSLBgS

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 16, 2019

Finally, the Prestige Novices’ Hurdle was won by Lisnagar Oscar (up 9 lb to 136p), who produced a decidedly useful performance in what looked an up-to-scratch renewal. The amount of distance he put between himself and the rest was impressive given the conditions and he can improve more yet. 

Around the courses

While the Kingwell Hurdle has traditionally been seen a Champion Hurdle trial, this year’s winner Grand Sancy (up 9 lb to 147) placed himself firmly into the picture for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, proving better than ever to lower the colours of two more experienced rivals in the form of Sceau Royal (down 5 lb to 144+) and Vision des Flos (remains on 148).

Friday’s rearranged Kingmaker Novices’ Chase looked a good opportunity for Kalashnikov (down 1 lb to 146) but he was blown away by the quickly-improving Glen Forsa (up 12 lb to 152p). The winner is a lively outsider for either the JLT or the Arkle on this evidence, while Kalashnikov is certainly worth another chance to prove himself a high-class chaser. 

Ireland

Gowran’s Red Mills Chase, which attracted just four runners, featured a borderline top-class performance from the winner Monalee (up 4 lb to 165), who gave 7 lb and a two-length beating to last year’s Gold Cup third Anibale Fly (drops 1 lb to 163). Monalee will command plenty of respect in whichever race he turns up in at in the Festival, with connections reportedly set to wait and see what the ground is like before finalising plans. Meanwhile, Anibale Fly will seemingly head to the Gold Cup and will have each-way claims once again if taking his chance.

Duc des Genievres (up 13 lb to 153p) produced a level of form good enough to have seen him placed in the last three runnings of the Arkle – though it is worth noting that the yard is also due to send Cilaos Emery, who put Duc des Genievres firmly in his place when they met at Gowran last month. Handicaps could see the winner improve again.

Last year’s Grand National winner Tiger Roll (up 5 lb to h152) sprang a 25/1 surprise on his first outing over hurdles for almost three years in Sunday’s Boyne Hurdle at Navan. This run was intended to blow away cobwebs ahead of his bid to win back-to-back renewals of Cheltenham’s Cross Country, but he ended up showing form comparable to his victory in the 2014 Triumph Hurdle, and he’s likely to head into his spring campaign spot on for this outing.  

What an incredible horse! The treble Cheltenham Festival winner (and reigning Grand National champ) Tiger Roll nonchalantly wins a prep race nobody thought he would!

Racecards ➡https://t.co/BO9hXivjYS
Fast Results ➡https://t.co/7iJOPsdIyZ pic.twitter.com/nVUlsr2d9q

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 17, 2019

Later on the card, Chris’s Dream (up 2 lb to 146p) and Champagne Classic (up 4 lb to 145p) fought out a tight finish to the Ten Up Novices’ Chase. Chris’s Dream confirmed the form of their run at Naas the previous month, but it is arguably their conqueror that day, Willie Mullins’ Ballyward, whose reputation was bolstered most.

The hunter chase is normally a highly-informative one in terms of the Foxhunters’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Sunday’s race was won by Ucello Conti (133+), who took his unbeaten record in this sphere to two, and though his jumping was sloppy at times, he will be a leading contender at the spring festivals.