Altior all the way - Hughes sure Henderson star will prevail in Ascot clash

Brian Hughes may have experienced first hand the brutal power of Cyrname's exhilarating running and jumping around Ascot but the crack jockey – one of the finest judges of a chaser around – is firmly siding with rival Altior in Saturday's showdown.

Hughes saw only a distant view of Cyrname during the closing stages of the Ascot Chase in February when aboard Waiting Patiently, a performance that elevated the Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old to become the highest-rated chaser in Britain at the end of last season.

But Hughes believes there were excuses for Waiting Patiently that day and, while having plenty of respect for Cyrname, expects Altior – officially 1lb inferior to his rival – to prove the handicapper wrong in the Christy 1965 Chase on Saturday, when he will be tackling two miles five furlongs for the first time.

"They're two decent horses from two very powerful stables but Altior is the one for me, he's beaten all that's been put before him," said Hughes, who has only Richard Johnson above him in the battle for the jump jockeys' title.

"Obviously Cyrname was an impressive winner of the Grade 1 at Ascot. I rode Waiting Patiently that day and I know it's very easy when you get beat to say your horse wasn't right but my horse didn’t give me the same feel. I didn't feel from the back of the second-last to the line that he strode out all the way. We were still second and Cyrname is obviously a very good horse."

Brian Hughes believes it will be a fascinating tactical battle at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

The two horses present an intriguing clash of styles, with Cyrname having produced his best performances when Harry Cobden has turned the screw on his rivals from the front, while Altior has increasingly looked at his strongest near the finish over two miles.

Hughes said: "Altior has 19 wins in a row and for me he's superior. It's a great game of opinions and I think it'll be a great race. Cyrname will go forward and Nico [de Boinville] will target him. Altior just looks like he's doing what he has to do in beating the horses he’s up against."

Hughes has not been on the receiving end of Altior's power but is a member of the fan club.

"Connections are obviously confident he'll stay those sort of trips and he has a lovely relaxed way of racing," said Hughes. "He's been entered in a King George and a Betfair Chase when they could have gone straight to the Tingle Creek.

"It'll be a great race and I’m looking forward to watching it."

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