He has yet to record a win on his seasonal debut, but for an 11-8 chance, Cyrname still seems to have an awful lot going for him
Altior has set off as an odds-on shot for 13 of his 14 wins over fences and he is odds-on once again, at a top price of 8-11, for his much-anticipated seasonal debut in the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot on Saturday. It is the biggest price Altior has been since he started at evens for the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2018 if you dont count the 15-2 in-running when he appeared to be struggling a circuit later and many punters will need no further invitation to wade in head down.
But he is, of course, those odds for a reason, and there are strong grounds for arguing that Saturdays Grade Two contest will put Altiors unbeaten record over jumps under greater strain than any of the nine Grade Ones he has added to his record so far. In fact, if you set out to design a race and an opponent to finally end Altiors 19-race winning streak, the contest would probably involve a significant step up in trip at the start of the season, and the horse would be the absolute spit of Paul Nichollss Cyrname.
Related: Haydock rebuilds fences after furore over fallers on Betfair Chase day
Lingfield Park
12.30 Courtandbould 1.00 Karakoram 1.30 Yaa Salaam 2.00 Troubled Soul 2.30 Barntown 3.00 Clondaw Anchor 3.30 Easter Gold