Weekend racing preview and top tip: Cyrname takes centre stage at Ascot

Cyrname returns to action and heads the betting in the Grade One Betfair Ascot Chase, his first run since finishing second to stablemate Clan Des Obeaux in the 2019 King George Chase.

The Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old, who won last year’s renewal, has Cheltenham entries for the Champion Chase and the Ryanair Chase, with this weekend’s outing thought to be ideal prep for the latter.

Cyrname was not given an entry for the Gold Cup after being beaten by 21 lengths during the experimental step-up in trip in the King George. Punters can get up to 12/1 on Cyrname to win the Ryanair, but expect these prices to be in limited supply should he win on Saturday. There is, however, the risk that Nicholls decides to skip Cheltenham and enter him fresh at Aintree.

Lining up alongside Cyrname, who looks unbeatable at 4/7, on Saturday is stablemate and last year’s Ryanair winner Frodon (5/1), as well as the in-form Riders On the Storm (3/1), Saint Calvados (8/1) and Nicky Henderson duo Janika (10/1) and Top Notch (12/1), Traffic Fluide (50/1) and Valdes (100/1).

Elsewhere, 23 entries will slog it out at Haydock in the Unibet Grand national Trial Handicap Chase. Truckers Lodge, second to Potters Corner in the Welsh National, leads the betting at 5/1 and will take some stopping.

Elegant Escape (10/1) has the chance to redeem himself after underdelivering as favourite at Chepstow over Christmas Yala Enki (8/1) could kick-on after finishing third in the Welsh National, but has been heavily campaigned and has since won at Taunton. Lord Du Mesnil (8/1), Vintage Clouds (9/1) and Lake View Lad (10/1) top the betting.

Weekend top tip: Danny Whizzbang (13/2) returns at Ascot (1.50) after an encouraging third in a strong race at Kempton over Christmas.

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