Christy 1965 Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 5m 19.05s

Altior²¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 175| CWS

1/3

Outstanding chaser; 14/14 over fences, often at the highest level (unbeaten over obstacles) who now steps up to the furthest trip he's ever tried for his seasonal debut (has had a wind op). Sound jumper; touch and genuine, finds for pressure.

Form: 1/11111-

Cyrname^t²⁸⁰

5/2

Two stunning C&D victories last season were the catalyst to his upward progression in handicap/Grade 1 company (by 21L/17L); produced best performance last time. Jumped superbly in both those outings from the front; travels strongly (had wind op).

Form: 14/3711-

Solomon Grey^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 138

50/1

Winner of two of his three chases over 2m; failed to cope with the step up to Grade 2 company last time on his return to action (ridden too aggressively) at Wincanton (2m4f). Faces an almost impossible task here at the weights unless others falter.

Form: 722-114

Forecasts

Altior (1/3), Cyrname (5/2), Solomon Grey (50/1)

Only three runners but the head-to-head between the big two is mouth watering with ALTIOR putting his unbeaten record over obstacles on the line stepping up to this trip for the first time (2m2f the previous furthest he’s gone). He’s officially rated 1lb lower than Cyrname who returns to the scene of his two stunning C&D victories although he was beaten in the 3.20 on this card last year off a mark of 150 (now rated 176). The trainers of the two main protagonists, Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls have captured this race 10 times between them since 1994; the latter leading 6-4, that balance may well be redressed this time with the Altior taken to maintain his unblemished chasing record.