The Cyrname conundrum: do you play or lay the Charlie Hall favourite?

Saturday: 3.05 Wetherby
bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) | 3m | 5yo+ | RTV/ITV4

Britain's highest-rated chaser (RPR 181) after an emphatic 17-length romp in the 2019 Ascot Chase, Cyrname has won just twice since and has a weak 50 per cent completion rate in the last two years. Now he's set to go off around even-money in the Charlie Hall after a prolonged break. Do you play or lay?

If you're a stringent follower of official ratings then his skinny price will look more than justified – value, in fact. Thanks to an official mark of 168, Cyrname is rated 9lb higher than his most talented rival, who is in receipt of just 2lb, according to the handicapper.

He also boasts valuable course-and-distance form courtesy of his two-length beating of Vinndication in this race 12 months ago. Cyrname answered questions about his ability to perform on a left-handed track that day and a similar performance would be good enough against weaker opposition this year.

However, he failed to build on that victory and was pulled up on his final two starts of the year in the King George and Ascot Chase. Breathing issues were given as the reason for the latter disappointment and he underwent a wind operation over the summer.

It's hard to predict which Cyrname will turn up, and defeats at 5-4 (twice) and 4-11 in recent years makes him a shaky betting proposition.

Improving nine-year-old Clondaw Castle, whose best form has largely come on flat tracks, and three-time Wetherby winner Top Ville Ben are his biggest threats on ratings. Top Ville Ben has only run once in the last 644 days, though, and questions can be raised about his fitness and whether he has retained his ability.

The key to the race might be formlines through Chantry House, who beat Fusil Raffles and Shan Blue on his way to the top of the 2m4f novice chase division last spring.

Fusil Raffles, who, along with Kitty's Light, has already been seen this season, could be the pace angle if Top Ville Ben adopts hold-up tactics and wasn't disgraced behind the immensely-talented Bravemansgame at Newton Abbot this month.

Three lengths separated him and Chantry House in the Marsh Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, a race in which Shan Blue failed to get home up the hill.

It's easy to envisage a form reversal between that pair given how inefficiently Shan Blue raced. With winning course-and-distance form and a proven record when fresh, it could be Shan Blue who benefits if the inconsistent Cyrname fails to fire.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

George sees Nacarat similarities in Clondaw

Charlie Hall contenders have notoriously bad records come March, with no winners of the last ten runnings yet to even cross the line in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the same season.

One trainer who avoided such pitfalls is Tom George, who claimed the Charlie Hall in 2010 with Nacarat.

The popular grey never made an appearance at the Cheltenham Festival, often skirting the event in favour of Aintree and landing the Grade 1 Bowl Chase in the same season ahead of Gold Cup runner-up Denman.

Clondaw Castle: flourished last season when stepped up to three milesCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

George must consider a similar route for his newest star Clondaw Castle, who flourished at the end of last season when stepped up to three miles.

"He's got the same profile as Nacarat and they both won the Grade 3 at Kempton off big weights," George said. "They're also both very ground dependent. He doesn't like it deep but this has been our target for a while."

Unlike Nacarat, Clondaw Castle already has festival credentials to his name, placing a well-beaten fourth in the 2019 Arkle.

However, George is keeping more immediate targets in mind, with next month's Betfair Chase a tantalising prospect.

"Haydock is a track that would probably suit him, just like Kempton did," George added. "It's something to think about, but we have to take each step as it comes."

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Cyrname
He's in good shape and any rain overnight won't hurt him. He seems in great order. He's had the same prep and I think it's the perfect race. He liked the track and three miles here is ideal. He won it well last year and there's no reason why he can't do the same again.

Lucinda Russell, trainer of Mighty Thunder
It's probably a mile short for him but it's his first run of the season. It's a very competitive race but it'll be good to get him back to the track. He always runs poorly first time and we took him for a racecourse gallop at Ayr to try and negate that. He'll go on good to soft ground all the way to heavy.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Shan Blue
We've had this race in mind since he came back in. He's done loads of work. He's up against the big boys now, but he was one of the better novices last season. I'm really looking forward to seeing him run.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Fusil Raffles
It's always been in our minds that we'd ask him the three-mile question and that is exactly what we're doing while we've got the ground. We're all wrong at the weights with Cyrname – we know that – but we're very keen to find out about three miles. He ran well last time. He was a bit fresh and gassy and he's performed to exactly what he should have done, trying to give 12lb to Bravemansgame.

Phil Kirby, trainer of Top Ville Ben
He loves the track and did as much work as he can do for his first run. He would have had a long time off if we hadn't taken him to France, which is why we went. He actually ran well in the race a couple of years ago, he didn't quite get home and needed the run. Hopefully, he'll be a bit fitter this time.
Reporting by Catherine Macrae

Saturday previews and analysis:

2.10 Ascot: 'He's very unexposed' – find out who's flying under the radar in handicaps

2.30 Wetherby: D-day for star hurdler Paisley Park with switch to fences under consideration

2.45 Ascot: Editeur may just have the edge in round three between two progressive chasers

2.50 Down Royal: Elliott, Nicholls and De Bromhead on the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase

3.20 Ascot: can classy Vinndication confirm himself a Graded performer in a handicap?

3.25 Down Royal: 'He's taking on the best horse ever to look through a bridle' – Envoi rivals

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