Racing Tips: Can Cyrname power to victory in competitive Ascot Chase?

Saturday’s racing odds, tips and preview

It’s a busy weekend of racing, including the Grand National Trial at Haydock and a host of other intriguing contests across UK and Irish courses.

As ever, the big renewals are on ITV today, with the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot kicking things off at 1:35pm.

We preview the major races and deliver another round of top tips…

Cyrname – 3:55 Ascot

Harry Cobden is set to ride the seven-year-old once again, and will be hoping for another result like the pair’s last Ascot outing – on 19th January.

They united for a Handicap Chase victory, with Cyrname breezing to victory by a massive 21 lengths from Paul Henderson’s Doitforthevillage.

Cyrname’s obvious contender in this Ascot Chase is Waiting Patiently. But while Ruth Jefferson’s charge has had more prior wins, the eight-year-old’s only outing in the last 11 months ended in disaster – with rider Brian Hughes flung from the saddle.

There’s little question over which of the pair heads into this race on better form.

Ballyarthur (E/W) – 3:35 Haydock

While victory in the Grand National Trial is a big ask of Nigel Twiston-Davies’ contender, Ballyarthur could make the step up after impressive displays.

The nine-year-old was narrowly edged into second in December’s Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock, before a strong fourth-placed finish at the same course in the Grade 2 Peter Marsh Handicap Chase a few weeks ago.