The jumps season has really clicked into gear in the last couple of weekends and the action from Wetherby and Ascot this weekend sees the return of the highest rated chaser in training, Paul Nicholls’ Cyrname (176) in Wetherby’s bet365 Charlie Hall Chase.

The problem is that his rating was gained in beating Altior over a three furlongs shorter trip going right-handed at Ascot, which a glance at the form book would say are his optimum conditions.

He disappointed twice afterwards, running like a blatant non stayer in the King George behind stablemate Clan Des Obeaux then unseating when beaten at the time back at his favourite track in February.

There’s no trainer I rate higher than Nicholls and he seems confident about going left handed and this race is designed to tell him if the horse stays but, with so many “ifs”, how could any punter take the 5-4 currently on offer?

The difficulty in opposing him is that he has to run almost a stone below his rating to give others a chance unless something can improve dramatically.

The last two winners of this race, Definitly Red in 2018 and Ballyoptic last year, are back to renew rivalry. The former edged out Black Corton for his victory and Ballyoptic stayed on strongly in 2019 to beat Elegant Escape with Aso in third and the 2018 hero back in fourth.

Aso had travelled like the winner that day but looked a short runner and couldn’t be fancied to turn the form around while Definitly Red was beaten so far it’s hard to imagine him revrsing it either - for all he did run well in three further visits to the racecourse.