Cyrname comes out on top in thrilling head-to-head with Altior at Ascot

NEW kid on the block Cyrname came out on top in Ascot’s clash of the titans.

Paul Nicholls’ star seven-year-old produced a stunning round of jumping as he became the first horse to beat Altior over jumps.

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More often than not, these hotly anticipated showdowns fail to live up to the hype - but this head-to-head did not disappoint.

Top jock Harry Cobden allowed Cyrname to bowl along on the lead, with Nico De Boinville shadowing his big rival as Altior tried 2m5f for the first time.

The pair traded blows with great leap after great leap, but it was De Boinville who was the first to send out distress signals rounding the home turn.

Cyrname opened up a three-length lead approaching the second last and it was a gap that Altior, seeking a 20th straight win, couldn't bridge.

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The pair were separated by two and a quarter lengths at the line, with 50-1 poke Solomon Grey completing in his own time for third.

Paul Nicholls confirmed the King George would be next on Cyrname’s agenda on Boxing Day.

Nicholls said: “Harry said that’s the most relaxed he’s been. Three miles wouldn’t be a problem for him so the King George is the obvious place to go. 

“Obviously we will have Clan Des Obeaux there too, so Harry will have to sleep on a few things and make a manly decision over Christmas. 

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“He has had a hard race today so he will have an easy week now and we will tick him over until Kempton.

“It’s great for racing to have challenges like this, taking on Altior. 

“Harry gets on very well with him, he’s a proper racehorse and it just shows his last two wins here weren’t a fluke. 

“I promised the owners he would be a 150 chaser one day, but I never thought he would end up quite this good! It just shows you what a bit of time and patience can do.”

Nicky Henderson was not disappointed despite the defeat, and he has not ruled out Altior tackling three miles in the King George.

He said: “He has run a very good race. He has had a go at him but he has just got very, very tired. 

“First time in the ground, Nico said he was very tired. You can’t judge the trip yet.”