Wetherby Racecourse, West Yorks
THERE were two performances over the weekend which might have been described as “poetry in motion” – Cyrname’s return to imperious form in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday, 31 October, and Envoi Allen’s chasing debut at Down Royal (see box, top right) on Friday, 30 October. Neither horse could be faulted.
Cyrname, the highest-rated chaser in Britain, went to Wetherby for what is always regarded as the first big chase of the season, with a couple of questions to answer. Was he as effective going left-handed, and did he truly get three miles? If you rule out left-handed tracks, you effectively put a line through jump racing’s two biggest festivals – Cheltenham and Aintree – and though Cyrname’s trainer, Paul Nicholls, didn’t think it would be a problem now, the fact remained, he hadn’t run him left-handed since the 2017/18 season when he showed a tendency to jump right at both Newbury and Aintree.
As for the trip, his only start over three miles previously was in last season’s King George when he was beaten 21 lengths into second by his stable companion Clan Des Obeaux, which didn’t really prove anything. Having earned his rating of 176 when he beat Waiting Patiently 17 lengths at Ascot two seasons ago, the match between Cyrname and two-time champion chaser Altior in the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot last November was eagerly awaited.
Denne historien er fra November 05, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 05, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
