sport news Robin Goodfellow's Racing Tips: Best bets for Saturday, October 31

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Seek Vinndication (Wetherby, 3.20) for the solution to this afternoon’s fascinating Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase.

The biggest steeplechase of the jumps season so far hinges on Paul Nichollstrained favourite Cyrname.

On paper, it is his race to win but there are enough question marks surrounding the highest-rated steeplechaser training in Britain to oppose him with the Kim Bailey-trained selection.

For a start Cyrname has never won a race over this three-mile distance — his one attempt ending in a 21-length second place to stablemate Clan Des Obeaux in last season’s King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Cyrname has also never won racing on a left-handed circuit like Wetherby. Earlier in his career he was deliberately kept to right-handed tracks, although Nicholls believes now that the eightyear- old is less of a tearaway it should not be a problem.

Perhaps the biggest question mark is whether the real Cyrname will turn up.

Harry Cobden’s mount started last season with a much-heralded defeat of Altior at Ascot, a clash of the steeplechasing giants. It left its mark on both horses.

The Cyrname spark was missing in the King George and then, dropping back in trip in the Ascot Chase in February, he was already well beaten when falling heavily at the final fence.

Cyrname has had a long time to recover but there are doubts and Vinndication, in contrast, has a very solid claim representing the in-form Bailey team.

Sparingly raced but always

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