Harry Cobden has King George dilemma
Harry Cobden admits That He may have a Tricky decision to make at Kempton on Boxing Day.
The riders shone aboard Cyrname in the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot when the Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old attracted Altior’s 19-race winning streak to a halt.
However, stablemate Clan Des Obeaux is also on track to defend his Kempton crown, after a promising yield at Down Royal before this month, and Cobden believes he has a”huge chance” of a duplicate.
Reflecting on the weekend, even Cobden explained:”Cyrname looks fantastic. It was a great day on Saturday – we’re very proud of how the horse played daily, and he beat Altior. I am thrilled.
“I surely wouldn’t catch off Cyrname to journey Altior at Kempton now, after Saturday. Our horses have had a run this year also. He was the best horse around the afternoon – Altior may improve, we will have to see at Kempton.
“I would not need Clan Des Obeaux half a length down turning at Kempton, since he would not stop. He has got a chance – this past year that he won the race.
“You might question the kind a bit, with all Thistlecrack in him behind. The same, he also won it very well. He has got a enormous chance, and that I wouldn’t rule him from it.
“I shall ride the one I believe will have the ideal chance. Cyrname had a tough enough race Saturday. Clan Des Obeaux will be going there new and firing on all cylinders – he will not be far off.”
Reporting Cyrname to have obtained his Ascot exertions nicely, Nicholls – who has won the King George 10 days – stated:”I am very happy with Cyrname after Saturday. He had a challenging race. I think both horses (Cyrname and Altior) gave their finest, conducted nicely and to a high level.
“If Cyrname had not run at the race on Saturday, Altior could have won by half the track and everybody else would’ve been applauding him and saying what a excellent performance. It’s just about.
“I understood Cyrname was very well. You are never confident against a horse such as Altior, because he’s a superstar, but I think it was an excellent race – and both horses ran to a level that is quite higher. Cyrname only outstayed him, also had Altior out of the comfort zone.
“I’d love to think we’d do the same at Kempton. If you visit Altior at the King George I would be surprised. I’m not sure what Nicky is believing, (Altior) clearly remained on Saturday, however whether he wants to go up another three furlongs and provide him a second tricky race so soon after that, I do not know.
“We aren’t afraid to take him again. I believe we’ve got a progressive horse – he’s won his last 3 races and he looks very wise.”
Like Cobden, Nicholls believes Clan Des Obeaux is”right in the mix” for the Christmas spectacular.
He added:”Clan Des Obeaux wanted his first run last season – and, again, we’ve left plenty to work on. He is excellent. He is definitely a horse this year. I believe he has bolstered up, therefore a couple of pounds advancement will place him directly in the combination.
“Kempton suits him nicely. They’ll go a real good gallop, (and) he will get a tow into the race. Hopefully he will be bang three out, then we could determine what happens over the last three fences”