Cobden, 21, a wise head on young shoulders, had the option of returning to the saddle of last year’s winner Clan Des Obeaux.
He admitted it was a tough call, but it is worth pointing out that Cobden raised a few eyebrows last year when opting for Clan Des Obeaux over his better fancied stable companion Politologue.
Since winning at Ascot in January, Cyrname has not looked back and has become the highest rated jumper after his success at the Berkshire course in February.
To highlight that status, he punctured Altior’s winning sequence of 19 victories at Ascot last month.
Paul Nicholls, the gelding’s trainer and also responsible for Clan Des Obeaux, believes the transformation has happened as this former tearaway is now a more manageable beast. Nicholls, seeking a record 11th victory in the race, has no reservations about the gelding’s first attempt at three miles. Clan Des Obeaux is the one for the forecast.
He needed the outing on his return at Down Royal last month when chasing home Road To Respect. In last year’s race he had Thistlecrack behind him in second place and he can confirm that running.
Connections of Thistlecrack, the 2016 winner, have high expectations for Lostintranslation. This big slab of a horse is clearly progressing but his victory over Bristol De Mai at Haydock last month flatters him.
Bristol De Mai was having his first run of the season unlike Lostintranslation who had an outing earlier in the month at Carlisle where he beat Count Meribel. Footpad attempts to end a spell in the wilderness in this contest for his trainer Willie Mullins.
Admittedly, Mullins does not target this contest like the prizes at Cheltenham. His solitary success came with Florida Pearl in 2001. Footpad certainly cannot be overlooked. He was a smart novice last season and at 10-1 is worth having a couple of quid on.
Aso is the turkey in the contest. His chances are reflected by his price – 66-1. He finished last of the six runners behind Cyrname at Ascot in February when beating 29 lengths. He clearly is not another Teeton Mill who took the prize in 1998 for his trainer Venetia Williams.
Verdana Blue (2.30, nb) can again upset her better fancied stable companion by making it a second successive victory in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. In last year’s contest Verdana Blue proved too strong for her stable companion the odds-on favourite Buveur D’Air, the dual Champion Hurdle winner.
In this year’s event she can put one over on her stable mate Fusil Raffles. On his return at Wincanton last month Fusil Raffles made hard work of beating Grand Sancy who has never been considered a player for top hurdling prizes by his trainer Paul Nicholls.
Nicky Henderson, the trainer of Verdana Blue and also represented by Epatante, believed Fusil Raffles needed that run but at his best his form falls short of the selection.Big Blue, the hope of Australia, adds interest and represents cracking each-way value at 100-1.
Chasing has brought out the best in SIMPLY THE BETTS (1.20) and he can make three from three over fences. His victory over Espoire De Guye at Chepstow last month was enhanced when that rival won a decent contest at Ascot on Saturday.
Paul Nicholls fields two smart contenders, Danny Whizzbang and Master Tommytucker, in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase but Colin Tizzard’s SLATE HOUSE (1.55) will be difficult to catch. He was unfortunate not win on his penultimate start in a competitive Grade 3 event at Cheltenham last month, won by Happy Diva, when falling at the second-last fence.
He has since gone in at Huntingdon and is destined for top honours. Lake View Lad (2.10, treble) can make it a second successive victory in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby. He will be ready following his eye-catching run at Newcastle last month.
Horse racing tips – December 24
WOLVERHAMPTON
1.40 Robero
2.15 Dolla Dolla Bill
2.50 Queen Gamrah
3.25 Seaforth
3.55 Nonios
4.25 Clap Your Hands
4.55 Corinthia Knight
KEMPTON
12.50 Vegas Blue
1.20 Simply The Betts
1.55 Slate House
2.30 Verdana Blue (nb)
3.05 Cyrname (nap)
3.40 Laskadine
SEDGEFIELD
11.50 Excalibur
12.25 Induno
12.55 Two Hoots
1.30 Fingal d’Arthel
2.05 Mountain Hawk
2.40 Kingrullah
3.15 Innisfree Spirit
WETHERBY
11.55 Wheesht
12.30 Imperial Nemesis
1.00 Norwegian Woods
1.35 Sammy Bill
2.10 Lake View Lad (treble)
2.45 Young Bull
3.20 Uncle Norman
MARKET RASEN
12.05 Dew Pond
12.35 Multellie
1.05 Fort De L’Ocean
1.40 Cloudy Glen
2.15 Zerachiel
2.50 Bells Of Peterboro
3.25 Paricolor
FONTWELL
12.15 Early Days
12.45 Manucci
1.15 Neff
1.50 Flaminger
2.25 Dostal Phil
3.00 The Tin Miner
3.35 Kalarika
WINCANTON
12.20 Never Learn
12.55 Daphne Du Clos
1.25 Duc De Beauchene
2.00 Pres
2.35 If You Say Run
3.10 Saintemilon
3.45 Confirmation Bias