Christy 1965 Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) - Ascot 23/11/19

Probably a race to watch but if pressed I would side with Cyrname.

Just hope they both come back safe and sound given that no prisoners will be taken.

i'd be concerned cyrname has never won off of a long absence which presents itself here. i'd expect him to come on for the run, so make altior a solid option, not that i'm a taker of the odds. a race to enjoy for me but if cyrname can prove his high rating, that would be something for me, as still struggling like the above poster to believe his achievements. saturday still won't solve the puzzle for me as his form off a lay off very average imo

Altior for me as he's always good fto, Cyrname never is, but it might be diferent this season as I imagine Nicholls will have him wound up given what's at stake. I think the soft groud will also be in Altiors favour. Not a betting race but looking forward to it.

I'll continue cheering for Altior even in the God Cup if his winning runs continues that far. Altior and Boinville for me on saturday.

Altior jumping right: Was he not bored out on his own in that race? I thought Hendo alluded to that, and he was not duly concerned. Let's hope it's a real match (unlike Scurlogue Champ vs Ballyregan Bob) even with just 3 runners if Top Notch and Keeper Hill are scratched.

Altior jumped out to his right at Sandown and had done so even more markedly at Ascot on his previous run right handed (check out the Ascot run again - https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/results/2019-01-19/ascot/507397/matchbook-clarence-house-chase-grade-1 ).

If Henderson is right and this was due to the front running in those races, and Altior jumps straight enough on Saturday, I can see him winning fairly comfortably. But if it happens again he's going to have to be some horse to reel Cyrname in.

Race

race to watch for me but nicholls hosses not pulling up trees atm ,i remember a good few years back hendo saying of altior  "you wouldnt want to run him over further " ................he may improve for the trip but cyrname will  test any stamina doubts ,btw has anyone got any stats on the sire high chapperal and the dam of altiors offsprings stamina wise ?

Winner was good there, didn't look like getting beat at any time. Back to 2miles for Altior?

10/1 for KG now. Given that race looks red hot, I wouldnt be surprised of they duck it, I'd love him to turn up though.

Going to be a hard decision which one to ride.
Clan Des Obeaux ran well in Ireland and was much improved come Boxing Day ....can you really get off him?

The one difference with Altior and most top 2 milers is how strongly he finshed his races , Badsworth Boy , Master Minded , Moscow Flyer had their race won a long way out at their best.

Today he was never ridden as if he was going to sweep past the winner in the straight .
There only hope is to try him on good ground over a distance .....if we ever get good ground again.

^I think Henderson felt backed into a corner to run because of all the hype since the end of last season and he didn't want to disappoint all the fans who had made arrangements to be at Ascot yesterday.

Should have had the exact same program as last year starting with the Tingle Creek, and maybe go to Aintree for the 2m4f race if they want to step him up in trip - crazy decision to try to turn him into a King George horse.
He made the exact same mistake with Remittance Man so should have learnt his lesson.

hendo talking a rematch and some time and considering the king george according to the "hendo in denial " thread on the horse racing forum.

I don't think he will be in the King George .

I don't see him running until 2020, and then back in the QM .

A few of Hendo's have come up short against eg Santini and Fusil Raffles, and Altior did look very tired after the race; Altior never looked like passing Cyrname at any stage of the race not even at 2m. Also, given the ground and on a right-hand course it could be one factor to much 1st time out. The opposite was true about Cyrname.

I hope he goes to Kempton on Boxing Day and much better ground prevails to be absolutely definitive where he'll go next. Unless he's regressed he did not look like the same Altior of last or previous seasons - the poor sod did look very tired after the race.

breeding suggests he should get 3m , could improve for it  .

The way Altior looked immediately post race he'd do with a 6 month holiday.