Three Weekend Eyecatchers - 21/01/2019

The Paul Nicholls-trained Cyrname truly put his rivals to the sword in the bet365 Handicap Chase at Ascot on Saturday, after an all-the-way front end display saw him come clear by over twenty lengths.

Looked well, he jumped fantastically and was always in a different county to his opposition. Jockey Harry Cobden just had to keep him up to his work on the turn for home, but he was always clear and never in trouble.

The 7yo gelding looked a smart novice last term, and finally recaptured some of that spark after a difficult campaign so far. It was his first win in almost a year.

Ryan Moore finally got underway for the year at Lingfield on Saturday, after such a frustrating start to 2019.

Moore has been involved in several close finishes already this year, but got on the winning end of one in the Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap aboard Forbidden Planet.

It was an eye-catching performance from the horse too however, who proved his fine turn of foot to lead with a couple of furlongs to go, off a 9lb higher mark than his C&D stable debut success two weeks ago.

Lucky 13 for Ryan will be the headline.

Ucello Conti was the third eye-catcher from the weekend's action, in the last race in Ireland on Sunday - the Arctic Tack Stud Hunters Chase.

Barry O'Neill's mount appeared to be in trouble, until Gwencily Berbas fortunately for him unseated her rider at the last. The challengers came to claim the 11yo but just could not get past.

It appears Conti is back in form having beaten a top pointer last week on his first start since parting company with Daryl Jacob in last season's Grand National.

Elliott confirmed he will be campaigned again for that very race, and could be seen one more time before turning up at Aintree in April.