Cyrname won the Ascot Chase on Saturday with a stunning display for Paul Nicholls but the exciting prospect may not be appearing at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival.
The fast improving 7-year-old won the Grade 1 contest by a remarkable 17 lengths ahead of Waiting Patiently to produce one of the best performances of the entire season. The Ditcheat star galloped a classy field into the ground with an excellent round of jumping on the front end, with some top notch animals having no answer to the 3/1 shot.
Defending champion Waiting Patiently was unable to live with the pace set by the winner with Fox Norton and Politologue two more classy horses in the field who were also well beaten.
The bare form of the victory puts Cyrname right at the highest level of horses in training but punters looking forward to seeing the exciting chaser at the Cheltenham Festival might be left disappointed.
The Grade 1 hero is not anywhere near as effective going left-handed and at this stage doesn't even have an entry for Cheltenham which would mean he would need to be supplemented if connections want to take their chance.
Nicholls suggested after the race that the Punchestown Gold Cup might be the big end of season target in Ireland, with the King George at Kempton likely to be the main aim next season with a right-handed flat three miles expected to suit perfectly.
Either way, there is no doubt that the Ascot Chase win was out of the top draw and racing fans took to social media to share their amazement at the display...
That was an absolutely monstrous performance from Cryname. Quite frankly scary. What does he win at Cheltenham? - (@racingblogger)
Just my opinion mate but I don’t think any tactics would have beaten Cryname today. - (@ste_wu10)
Wow is used to often but that was Wow #Cryname - (@HankHeff)
WHAT. ON. EARTH. #Cryname - (@AirIndex)
Cyrname is now a genuine star in the national hunt game and whether he goes to Cheltenham or not next, he looks to be the real deal and one to follow (going right-handed) for years to come.
One of the performances of the season for @PFNicholls!
(📹@itvracing)