Nicholls relishing Cyrname's colossal King George clash with Lostintranslation

Cyrname may have come out on top in the clash of the titans at Ascot on Saturday but his next task could be even tougher, as another heavyweight showdown awaits in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes King George VI Chase against Lostintranslation.

Cyrname rocketed to the head of the market for Kempton's Boxing Day showpiece after handing out an all-the-way beating to Altior and is now a best-priced 5-2 favourite for the race. Saturday's Betfair Chase hero, Lostintranslation, is a 3-1 chance after defeating course specialist Bristol De Mai at Haydock.

Cyrname's last three victories have come at Ascot and Nicholls, who also has last year's winner Clan Des Obeaux for the King George, is keen to keep his rising star at right-handed tracks for the foreseeable future.

Superb Cyrname ends Altior's undefeated run in thrilling Ascot clash

“He's come out of the race in great shape and will now head to Kempton for the King George,” said Nicholls on Sunday. “He loves going right-handed, we know that, and I'm sure that three miles around Kempton will play to his strengths and I'm very confident he will stay.

“There are plenty of good races going right-handed and now getting him to Kempton is the priority as it looks like being some race with him, Clan Des Obeaux and Lostintranslation, who looked very good on Saturday and is obviously a very nice horse.”

Harry Cobden: victorious aboard Cyrname on SaturdayCredit: Mark Cranham

As for Cyrname going left-handed in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup, Nicholls added: “I'm sure one day it'll happen and he'll run at a left-handed track – I'm not worried about that as I don’t think it will be a problem.

"We're looking forward to the King George as things stand and there's plenty of time to talk about Gold Cups, but Cheltenham is not the be-all and end-all. There are other options.”

And worryingly for his rivals, Nicholls added of Britain's top-rated chaser: “We've always thought a lot of him and he's just another of those French horses who need plenty of time and looking after. At seven going on eight [years old] I think there's still more to come from Cyrname.”

Lostintranslation’s trainer Colin Tizzard was equally bullish about his charge’s chance in the King George accepting that the seven-year-old had a few questions to answer going into Haydock, but he was very happy with the reply on Saturday.

Lostintranslation (right): fought off Bristol De Mai in Saturday's Betfair ChaseCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

He said: “Potentially he's the new kid on the block who showed that he stays very well and he'll now head to Kempton – that was always the plan as long as he passed the test at Haydock. He's fine in himself and we couldn't be more pleased with him.

“He's not the flashiest of horses at home but he's big and powerful and you can only beat what's put in front of you. However, I must admit at one stage I thought Robbie [Power, jockey] had him far enough back, but he's a very confident rider and showed his class in the saddle.”

After Kempton, Tizzard has mapped out the Denman Chase at Newbury in February as Lostintranslation’s logical stepping stone to the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following month.

Lostintranslation made new Gold Cup favourite after Betfair Chase brilliance

He added: “We might think about taking in the three festivals in the spring – Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown – but that’s a way off for now.”

Clan Des Obeaux may not be the only other superstar in line for the King George and Nicky Henderson was anything but despondent that Altior’s winning sequence, stretching back over four years, was brought to an end by Cyrname.

“I have no doubt he got the trip but on that ground it was ultimately match-race fitness that took its toll as he hadn't had any ‘away days’ or racecourse gallops so I’d like to think he'll improve for the run anyway,” Henderson told his Unibet blog.

Altior (behind): lost his 19-race undefeated record at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

“He did his level best, as always, but, as I feared, this would have to happen one day, he got beaten by a better horse on the day and that’s what horseracing is all about. Take nothing away from Cyrname, he's a very talented animal and deserves the plaudits he gets.

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

Henderson added: “I definitely wouldn’t rule out the King George as that has always been the long-term plan, although if it's really heavy ground perhaps we'd have to reconsider – but I’d have no qualms about taking on Cyrname again. I’d say Kempton is the most likely next stop if he’s fit and well but it all depends on how long it takes to get over this.”

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