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

Paul Nicholls confirmed Cyrname is highly unlikely to be seen in public again this season, with the champion trainer reporting the classy chaser to be "a bit stiff and tired" after his final fence fall at Ascot on Saturday.

The Ditcheat trainer provided an update on the eight-year-old, who was winded after coming down in the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase. The screens went up at the Berkshire course but he eventually got back on his feet, much to the relief of anxious racegoers, who let their feelings be known clapping and cheering the horse all the way back in.

Speaking on Sunday morning, Nicholls said: "He's a bit stiff and tired but that's absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. We'll give him plenty of time to get over the unfortunate incident and, although I've not fully discussed the matter with his owner Johnny De La Hey, the likelihood is he will not run again this season.”

Cyrname: the Grade 1 winner is unlikely to run again this seasonCredit: Getty Images

Looking back at Saturday's dramatic race, he added: “At the back of my mind I'm pretty sure there is something niggling the horse but I cannot put my finger on it just yet. Maybe it’s something simple like he needs a re-cauterising of his palate as he has had breathing problems in the past.

“Perhaps they resurfaced yesterday at Ascot as the ground was very testing and holding which can catch horses out if they have a breathing problem. But rest assured he will be thoroughly checked over by the vets and we'll get to the bottom of it. He will be back.”

Nicholls was also quick to praise the reception Cyrname received from the big crowd who vociferously cheered and applauded after he was back on his feet. He said: “Myself and Johnny were quite taken aback by the huge reception given to the horse all the way back in – it was a very heartwarming moment.

Watch: Riders Onthe Storm wins a dramatic Ascot Chase

“There were a lot of younger racegoers at Ascot on Saturday and you always hear people moaning and saying ‘they are only there to drink and get drunk’ well, that is simply not true judged by what I saw and heard as they were clearly emotional and happy that Cyrname got up. The horses do matter in racing, contrary to what some might say.”

The final fence also claimed the chance of 40-1 outsider Traffic Fluide, who held every chance when hitting the deck. His trainer Gary Moore said on Sunday: “Amazingly, he's fine this morning and ate up all his grub. He's trotted up fine and we just hope that hasn't knocked his confidence.

"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!

Gary Moore: reported Traffic Fluide to be none the worse for his tumbleCredit: Edward Whitaker

“The wind didn't help over those fences in the straight as it was blowing straight across the track. The plan is still the National and we'll run him over hurdles somewhere beforehand like we did last year."

Nicholls is weighing up the JCB Triumph Hurdle for Sir Psycho, who was an authoritative winner in the Unibet Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle at Haydock.

The trainer said: “He has options at Cheltenham but I would not be scared of running him in the Triumph as long as the ground is not on the fast side come the final day. He's done nothing but improve in recent months and took another step forward at Haydock.”

More to read

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