Paul Nicholls’ chaser set to win the jumping midwinter championship for a third consecutive year at Kempton
Cyrname has another go at his stablemate Clan Des Obeaux (3.00) but the outcome of Saturday’s King George VI Chase may be the same as last year, with Clan set to win the midwinter championship for a third consecutive year. Odds of 2-1 are not at all bad for a horse who is so obviously suited by this course, distance and time of year, but reflect the fact that Paul Nicholls has made a determined effort to improve Cyrname’s chance this time.
While he emptied himself in beating Altior in his prep race last year, Cyrname had a less taxing round in the Charlie Hall this time and has had longer to recover. But the exuberance he showed in the early part of that race looks like part of the problem, that he doesn’t settle well enough to see out three miles in a top-class contest.
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Wetherby
11.50 Hollymount Holly 12.20 Mill Race King (nb) 12.53 Imperial Icon 1.28 Johnbb 2.05 Spiritofthegames 2.40 Sam's Gunner 3.13 Trooper Turnbull
Wincanton
12.25 La Reine Poutine 12.59 Momella 1.34 Sizing Cusimano 2.10 Guetapan Collonges 2.45 Southfield Harvest 3.19 Ouro Branco 3.50 Kandoo Kid
Kempton
12.40 Third Time Lucki 1.15 Son Of Camas (nap) 1.50 Shan Blue 2.25 Epatante 3.00 Clan Des Obeaux 3.35 Barbados Blue
Wolverhampton
1.45 Fashion Free 2.20 Make It Rain 2.55 Bashful Boy 3.30 Papa Stour 4.05 Boosala 4.35 Blue Moonrise 5.05 Sweet Bertie