Ratings Update: Cyrname silences the doubters

Cyrname (remains on c174) had a few questions to answer on his return in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday, so much so that he wasn't even sent off favourite for a race in which he was 9 lb clear on Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings, but he brushed aside any concerns about his effectiveness on a left-handed course or stamina for three miles. Cyrname didn't have to run up to his very best – a level that had enabled him to inflict a first defeat over obstacles on Altior last season – but he still produced a top-class performance to easily beat Vinndication by two lengths, barely needing to come off the bridle.

Cyrname also had to prove that a heavy fall in the Ascot Chase on his final start last season had not left a mark, so it was pleasing to see him put in an impeccable round of jumping, always travelling within his comfort zone and looking in control.

He disappointed when runner-up to stablemate Clan des Obeaux in the King George last season, but he failed to travel with his usual zest on that occasion and a subsequent laboured effort suggests he simply wasn't quite right on Boxing Day. His Timeform master rating of 174 sets the standard among the staying chasers and he should pose a much bigger threat this time.

Different class!

Cyrname - what a performance in the @bet365 Charlie Hall Chase 👏 @WetherbyRaces @PFNicholls @CobdenHarry pic.twitter.com/WVBDupse1i

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 31, 2020

Vinndication (remains on c163) was well supported for the Charlie Hall, sent off 2/1 favourite, but he was instantly on the back foot after jumping the first couple slowly and he generally failed to impress over his obstacles, losing momentum with sticky leaps. In getting to within two lengths of the easy winner he still managed to show form at least a match for anything he had previously achieved, but he will need to brush up on his jumping to make a bigger impact at this sort of level.

Jumping may be an issue for Vinndication but that is certainly not the case for Imperial Aura, another of trainer Kim Bailey's brightest prospects.

Imperial Aura (c157p from c155p) rose through the handicap ranks last season, beating Galvin in the now-defunct novice handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen, and he returned with an emphatic two-and-a-half-length success in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle on Sunday, a victory which should set the foundations for another productive campaign. He's a strong traveller who jumps boldly and responds to pressure, so it's difficult to find much fault with him, and he is one to keep on the right side. The Ryanair Chase, for which he is a top price of 20/1, appeals as a good long-term option.

Another horse who could potentially have the Ryanair Chase on his agenda is The Storyteller (c161 from c159). He may be rising ten but he proved better than ever to win the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal, the first Grade 1 run in Britain or Ireland this season, making the most of a fitness edge to beat the strong-travelling Chris's Dream by a neck after engaging in a good tussle on the run-in. Presenting Percy (c165 from c165+) finished only fourth on his first outing for Gordon Elliott – who also trains The Storyteller – but he shaped as if retaining all of his ability and could have the Grand National on his agenda, which would be a fascinating prospect. Delta Work (remains on c168), another from Elliott's powerhouse stable, was only fifth but he shaped similarly last year before improving to win the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup, and he should be able to make a much bigger impact later in the campaign.

The Storyteller was one of seven winners for Elliott at Down Royal's two-day meeting. The hugely exciting Envoi Allen (c142P) got the ball rolling on Friday, putting up a flawless display to strengthen his position at the head of the market for the Marsh Novices' Chase (which you can read more about here), while Quilixios (Triumph), Ballyadam (Ballymore) and Sir Gerhard (Champion Bumper) – owned, like Envoi Allen, by Cheveley Park – also shot to the head of Cheltenham Festival markets.

😍 Envoi Allen - a perfect nine out of nine in his career so far after this scintillating chasing debut at @downroyal

Watch this & plenty more cracking action in our results & replay section👇🏻

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 30, 2020

Quilixios (remains on h128p) won his only start over hurdles in France and hasn't had to step up on that form to register two wide-margin wins for Elliott, who has dominated the juvenile division so far this season. Ballyadam (h131P) came from the pointing field with a huge reputation and, though he was beaten on his bumper debut last season, he has shown himself to be an exciting prospect. He left a couple of useful bumper winners in his wake on his hurdling debut at Down Royal, and the Grade 1 Royal Bond, won by Envoi Allen last season, looks an obvious target.

Sir Gerhard (b115), a £400,000 purchase, was backed as if defeat was out of the question, being sent off at 5/2-on in the concluding bumper, and he produced an impressive debut under Rules, quickening 14 lengths clear. That was just about the best performance in the bumper division this season and it's no surprise that he is favourite for the Champion Bumper, which his owners have won for the past two seasons. He has already run to a level just 8 lb shy of the standard typically required.

Last season’s Marsh Novices’ Chase winner Samcro (162 from 163+) was easy to back on his return in the Grade 2 chase and shaped as if needing the run, finishing an encouraging third behind stablemate Battleoverdoyen (163+ from 152+). Battleoverdoyen disappointed in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham on his final start last season (he ran poorly in the Ballymore at the Festival the previous season) but he got right back on track with a dominant six-length success, impressing even if the race did fall apart somewhat. He’s worth viewing positively.

It wasn't quite dominance on Elliott's level, but Dan Skelton enjoyed a hugely successful time at Wetherby, sending out four winners across the two days. Shan Blue (c148p) was only sixth behind Envoi Allen in the Ballymore but he has taken to chasing like a duck to water, already proving to be much better over fences. He put in a scintillating round of jumping on his way to a 16-length success on Friday, making it two from two over fences, and he will be well worth his place in the top novice chases, with the Kauto Star on Boxing Day appealing as a possible option.

Shan Blue over fences

🏇 Two races
🥇 Two wins
✅ Unbeaten

Shan Blue loves his fences & absolutely dots up for @DSkeltonRacing & @harryskelton89 at @WetherbyRaces

Results & free replays ➡ https://t.co/sBcsavpOzF pic.twitter.com/jmwAr5jdqC

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 30, 2020

Third Time Lucki (h129p) fared best of the British in the Champion Bumper last season and made the most of a good opportunity to extend his unbeaten start over hurdles, defying a penalty with plenty in hand. He has not had to show anything like the true extent of his ability on either start over hurdles, so would be one to watch out for if connections go down the handicap route. Roksana (remains on h149) proved at least as good as ever to justify strong support in the West Yorkshire Hurdle, winning easily by eight and a half lengths. She had finished a close-up second in a Sefton and Liverpool Hurdle on her two previous attempts at three miles and she could be a force in the staying this season.

It was the Anthony Honeyball show at Ascot on Saturday, with the trainer sending out a treble. The most significant winner with an eye on the future was Kid Commando (h144p from h129p), who made a successful handicap debut on his reappearance, impressing with the enthusiasm with which he travelled. Captain Morgs (h119p) is also one to note after scoring on his hurdles debut for Nicky Henderson. The champion trainer has used the race as a springboard for better things with My Tent or Yours and Altior, so his representatives are always worth noting, and Captain Morgs did well to overcome inexperience.

The Cork Grand National was the feature race at Cork on Sunday, but the big story on the card was the latest chapter in the remarkable tale of Dreal Deal. Dreal Deal, who memorably landed a gamble at Navan in September, made it five on the bounce across both codes, not needing to come off the bridle to defy a penalty. He was already due to go up another 23 lb and will be forced into better company, but it will be fascinating to see how far a horse who started off from a hurdles mark of just 84 can climb.