Altior not the underdog in Ascot showdown with Cyrname says De Boinville

Nico de Boinville predicted a showdown up the Ascot straight between Altior and Cyrname in Saturday's clash of the chasing giants.

Altior's rider plans to stalk Cyrname and then pounce in the duel between the two highest-rated chasers in Britain that is gripping racing. A surge in advanced ticket sales has been reported with racegoers desperate to see the head-to-head in the Grade 2 Christy 1965 Chase.

De Boinville, unbeaten in 17 rides on Altior, said on Monday: “I won’t be riding Altior any differently. I think it’s fairly clear-cut what’s going to happen. Cyrname is bound to be fit and he’ll be giving us a tow around, it’s just a case of what happens next.

“I don’t think Altior is an underdog in this clash. He’s won around Ascot a couple of times so we’re fairly relaxed about the whole thing. He worked very well on Saturday and could definitely drop back in trip if this doesn’t work out. He could still be dominant over two miles so there are plenty of other options.”

The four-time Cheltenham Festival winner also holds an entry in Saturday's Betfair Chase, but trainer Nicky Henderson said on Monday: "If there’s an earthquake at Ascot and Ascot is off, then I must have an alternative. That’s the only reason he’s in at Haydock. He’s going to Ascot."

It means Henderson's 175-rated Champion Chase hero and Paul Nicholls' 176-rated seven-year-old, who won the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase by 17 lengths from Waiting Patiently over course and distance in February, are on track to square off in a blockbuster clash.

Altior, who is unbeaten over obstacles but will be having his first try over further than 2m2f, is a top-priced 4-5 with Cyrname available at 11-8.

Ascot's director of racing Nick Smith summed up the mood of excitement. He said: "This is why people go racing and it’s great for us, it’s become quite an unexpectedly big day and our advanced sales are up around 25 per cent on last year.

"It’s been on the cards for a long time, both connections put it on the table very early as the ideal starting point but as the days and weeks have gone by you fear something will happen or there will be a change of plan, but to have a clash of this magnitude so early in the season really is great for racing.

"It’s often said the big guns over jumps hide from each other apart from the King George and the festivals, so to have the best two horses in Britain meeting on their seasonal return is a credit to connections.

"The beauty of them clashing so early is it sets up a potential rematch in the King George, or it could answer some real questions and shape the season and where they go from here on."

The clash is even dividing bookmakers. David Stevens, of Coral, who are 8-13 about Altior, said: "Although Cyrname is officially rated 1lb higher than Altior, and is proven over Saturday's 2m5f trip, we still favour Altior to come out on top on his first try at this distance, such was his dominance and superstar status over two miles and his connections' belief he now needs to go further."

But rivals William Hill are in the opposite camp. They are best-priced about Altior and shortest about Cyrname, going 4-5 and 11-10 about the pair and spokesman Rupert Adams said: "Cyrname's proven at the trip which gives us confidence in his chance, allied to the fact Altior's not at his best going right-handed means we've been happy to take him on and we're laying Altior like we've never seen before."

Altior's stablemate Top Notch (161) is a best-priced 16-1, with Warren Greatrex's Keeper Hill (146) at 33-1 and Dan Skelton's 66-1 shot Solomon Grey (138) completing the possible runners.

The going at Ascot on Monday was soft, with the chance of showers increasing from Thursday.

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