Seek VINNDICATION (Wetherby, 3.20) for the solution to this afternoon’s fascinating Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase.
The biggest steeplechase of the jumps season so far hinges on Paul Nichollstrained favourite Cyrname.
On paper, it is his race to win but there are enough question marks surrounding the highest-rated steeplechaser training in Britain to oppose him with the Kim Bailey-trained selection.
Sportsmail’s racing expert Robin Goodfellow dishes out his tips for Satuday’s meetings
For a start Cyrname has never won a race over this three-mile distance — his one attempt ending in a 21-length second place to stablemate Clan Des Obeaux in last season’s King George VI Chase at Kempton.
Cyrname has also never won racing on a left-handed circuit like Wetherby. Earlier in his career he was deliberately kept to right-handed tracks, although Nicholls believes now that the eightyear- old is less of a tearaway it should not be a problem.
Perhaps the biggest question mark is whether the real Cyrname will turn up.
Harry Cobden’s mount started last season with a much-heralded defeat of Altior at Ascot, a clash of the steeplechasing giants. It left its mark on both horses.
The Cyrname spark was missing in the King George and then, dropping back in trip in the Ascot Chase in February, he was already well beaten when falling heavily at the final fence.
Cyrname has had a long time to recover but there are doubts and Vinndication, in contrast, has a very solid claim representing the in-form Bailey team.
Sparingly raced but always highly regarded from his novice hurdle days, the mount of David Bass has won on every seasonal debut, including a victory in the Sodexho Gold Cup at Ascot on this day last year.
Vinndication’s only other run of the season saw him beaten less than three lengths by The Conditional, who was receiving 20lb, when carrying top weight of 11st 12lb in the Ultima Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival.
Nicholls thought about running Cyrname in the Sodexho Gold Cup. In his absence it is a competitive race with some familiar names like 2017 King George VI Chase winner Might Bite and Grade One winning chaser Blaklion.
But they look vulnerable to up-and-coming COMMANCHE RED (Ascot, nap, 3.40), who should be suited by the step up to three miles.
AYR
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
12.32 Let Me Entertain U
1.07 Cavalry Scout
1.42 Strong Economy
2.17 Highland Hunter
2.52 Saint Leo
3.27 Faire Part Sivola
4.02 Flammarion
GIMCRACK
12.32 Castle Rushen
1.07 Katalystic
1.42 She’sasupermack
2.17 Highland Hunter
2.52 Zolfo
3.27 Goobinator
4.02 Thunder In Milan
WETHERBY
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
12.25 Hear No Evil
1.00 Brief Ambition
1.35 Well Smitten
2.10 Verdana Blue
2.45 Roksana
3.20 Vinndication
3.55 Shang Tang
GIMCRACK
12.25 Financial Outcome
1.00 Ashtown Lad
1.35 Guy
2.10 Verdana Blue
2.45 Lisnagar Oscar
3.20 Cyrname
3.55 Arrivederci
ASCOT
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
12.15 Sometimes Always
12.47 Fazayte
1.20 Dorking Boy (nb)
1.55 Ibleo
2.32 Captain Morgs
3.05 Countister
3.40 Commanche Red (nap)
4.17 Arturus
GIMCRACK
12.15 Northern Poet
12.47 Fifty Ball
1.20 Dorking Boy
1.55 Ibleo (nap)
2.32 Captain Morgs
3.05 Kid Commando
3.40 Whatmore (nb)
4.17 Off The Planet
NEWMARKET
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
11.50 Tarhib
12.20 Sweet Believer
12.55 Mojandil
1.30 Galactic Glow
2.05 Mystery Angel
2.40 Headman
3.15 Stormy Antarctic
3.50 Aspiration
GIMCRACK
11.50 Mobadra
12.20 Secret Haunt
12.55 Branwell
1.30 Noble Dawn
2.05 Alba Rose
2.40 Headman
3.15 Qaysar
3.50 Aspiration
NEWMARKET – 2.05 Mystery Angel (nb); 3.15 Zakouski (nap).
