Cyrname on same mark after Ascot Chase defeat but Traffic Fluide raised 5lb

Cyrname is still the highest-rated chaser in Britain with a mark of 177, despite falling last Saturday in an incident-packed Betfair Ascot Chase.

But fellow final-fence faller Traffic Fluide has been raised 5lb to a new mark of 154, with connections of the 40-1 outsider left to wonder what might have been in his unexpected bid for a maiden Grade 1 success.

Despite failing to complete, Traffic Fluide's fine effort on his first run for 469 days was considered among the best in his career on RPRs, with the ten-year-old earning a mark of 162, a rating he has bettered only twice.

View the result and replay of the Ascot Chase

Cyrname was held in third when coming down at the last, but Traffic Fluide was upsides winner Riders Onthe Storm, who remains on the same mark of 162 despite his breakthrough Grade 1 success, when taking a tumble.

Traffic Fluide (centre) is on the tail of Riders Onthe Storm (left) as Cyrname (right) begins to tireCredit: Edward Whitaker

Commenting on the race, BHA handicapper Michael Harris said it is form to treat "very cautiously".

Writing as part of the BHA handicappers' blog, Harris added: "Traffic Fluide would surely have gone very close but for falling and he’s now back on 154, the rating he was allocated after his Ascot handicap success on his last run back in 2018.

"I have the winner running below the level of his previous Ascot win and historically his performance of 158 is the lowest winning rating for the race in over ten years. That said, Riders Onthe Storm still has the scope to improve further under more optimal conditions."

Traffic Fluide's jockey Josh Moore and his father, trainer Gary, took differing opinions on the potential outcome.

Josh Moore said post-race: "It was a tired fall and I'm not sure if he'd have won."

Conversely, on Sunday Gary Moore said: "You'd have thought he would have won if he'd stayed on his feet as he was the only horse running into it with momentum, but that doesn't show up on my Weatherbys account!"

With no penalties applied after last week's official unveiling of the Randox Health Grand National weights, Traffic Fluide could be well-treated for the race, which is his main target, as he is 51st on the list with 10st 3lb and a mark of 149. There is a maximum field of 40.

Ascot Chase runner-up Janika, who was 14 lengths adrift of Riders Onthe Storm at the line, has been dropped 2lb and now has the same mark as the winner with 162.

Read this next:

'Stiff and tired' Cyrname to be given plenty of time after Ascot Chase spill

David Jennings: Cyrname hasn't earned the right to be called the best horse in our sport

Subscribe to the Racing Post YouTube channel so you don’t miss out on What A Shout and more must-have content from the Racing Post. To view today’s show click here