• Challenger wins by two and a quarter lengths in remorseless run• Result ends Altior’s unbeaten record in jump racesAltior’s unbeaten record in jump races is no more, left behind in the Berkshire mud as the terrier-like chaser finally came up against a horse he was unable to pass. It has evidently taken punters time to warm up to Cyrname, who has not started favourite since this day a year ago, but no one can quibble about his talent in the wake of victory in this keenly anticipated clash, six months in the hyping.
All the portents seemed to favour Altior, heavily backed down to a starting price of 1-3, having been twice those odds in the morning. His trainer, Nicky Henderson, continued his excellent recent form by winning the first two races here. “Of course,” he noted in a cheery aside, “I won the first two races on Friday as well, and then the wheels came off...”