Harry Cobden: I schooled Cyrname the other day and he felt brilliant

Harry Cobden acknowledged the huge task facing Cyrname in Saturday's monster clash with Altior but is quietly confident his ride can come out on top after giving him a brilliant feel in a recent schooling session.

Rated Britain's best chaser at 176, Cyrname is not favoured by bookmakers, who are forecasting a 20th successive victory for Altior in the hugely anticipated Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot.

But Cobden has enormous belief in his mount, who on Wednesday could be backed at 11-8 to give trainer Paul Nicholls a record-extending seventh win in the race.