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‘I don’t think I’m too worried about him going the extra distance’.
Cyrname 's owner Johnny de la Hey feels three miles is well within his horse's compass ahead of the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
De la Hay's reasons for optimism are based on Cyrname finishing strongly over two miles and five furlongs at Ascot.
His last three races have all been in victory over that course and distance – culminating in the coveted scalp of Altior in the Christy 1965 Chase last month.
"I don't think I'm too worried about him going the extra distance," De la Hey told Sky Sports Racing.
"I think if the ground got really heavy that would be a bit more worrying, but he's run through the line every time at Ascot over two-mile-five so I think he should be fine.
"There are some good horses against him. Lostintranslation, Clan Des Obeaux, and probably a few others, are good horses so we will have to be on the top of our game to win.
"I wouldn't be too scared if someone took us on (up front). We don't need to go out in front. We can do other things.
"I think he's relaxed enough now. He's grown up so we'll do what we're going to do and if someone takes us on we'll have to go to Plan B."
Harry Cobden partnered Cyrname in those three Ascot victories, but Paul Nicholls' stable jockey has the difficult decision of whether to pick him or desert last year's winner Clan Des Obeaux.
De la Hey accepts how tough that choice is for the jockey.
"I think Harry will make up his mind when he's ready," he said.
"I care who rides my horse and the jockey makes a difference, for sure, but he's got a tough decision. It's up to him to make that decision.
"There are a couple of other people in my mind if Harry doesn't want to ride. We'll make the decision when we know what Harry is going to do."