'Bring on round two' says Henderson as Cyrname dethrones the mighty Altior

Nicky Henderson is fired up for round two after Cyrname ended Altior's 19-race undefeated record in an outstanding clash in the Christy 1965 Chase on Saturday.

It was Altior's first start over the two-mile-five-furlong trip after his domination of the two-mile division and he raced in typical fashion, stalking the Paul Nicholls-trained rival in second throughout the Grade 2 race.

For the first time since April 2015, however, Altior failed to show his electric turn of foot, beaten two-and-a-quarter lengths, leaving a deflated atmosphere around a packed Ascot.

Henderson has not lost any faith in his four-time Cheltenham Festival winner and relishes a rematch, which could come on Boxing Day in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.

Super Cyrname defeats Altior in Ascot thriller

He said: "We'll have to meet again, there's no doubt about that, and we're not going to lie down that's for sure. Well done to them. Fair play, they were fitter and better on the day, and we'll look forward to meeting again. Bring on round two!"

Altior drifted to a top-priced 8-1 chance for Kempton's Christmas showpiece but his trainer is not completely convinced Saturday's stiffer test – over three furlongs further than he had been tested before – went against him.

Instead, he believes a combination of soft ground, racing first time out, and taking on top-class rival Cyrname were behind his first defeat over obstacles.

"The race went like we expected it to happen, and he's had a go at him, but he just got tired," said Henderson. "I think that might be as it's first time out and on that ground, he was very tired. That's as tired as I've ever seen him.

Nicky Henderson: 'That's as tired as I've ever seen him'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"First time out was going to be the time he was most vulnerable, although he's been good first time before. It was a big ask but this was the obvious race to run him given the time.

"He's still got the time to get to Kempton, and I don't see why we shouldn't, and we'll be having a long look at it. It'll be different ground on a different day and with a horse with a race under his belt."

The Assessor: King George test ideal for Cyrname

Henderson remained humble in defeat and added: "It was a great front-running performance to be fair. I don't think they've gone quite as fast as they might have gone.

"Altior was always happy to sit on his tails but he just couldn't get past him; they were fitter and better on the day. We'll have to go onwards and upwards."

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