PAUL Nicholls struck twice at Grade 2 level on Wednesday as Politologue and Cyrname won quite comfortably.

The former, recently successful in the Tingle Creek at Sandown, looks a potential star at Ditcheat and took the Unibet Desert Orchid Chase by 13 lengths from Vaniteux but only after Henry de Bromhead’s grand servant Special Tiara had come down at the eighth. This was an uncharacteristic lapse by last season’s Champion Chase winner, who normally attacks his fences safely enough.

Left in front, Sam Twiston-Davies sent Politologue clear approaching three out and the 8/15 favourite did enough to score tidily despite slowing down at the last and idling on the run-in. The going was very soft and conditions will probably be very different at Cheltenham in March, where he is generally rated a 4/1 chance to take Special Tiara’s crown. It was disappointing that only four turned out here.

“That’s job done for now because it means I can give him a little rest,” Nicholls said as Politologue returned to the unsaddling enclosure. “I’ve been quite hard on him and peaked him for the Tingle Creek before ticking him over for today. He’ll have a break and then we’ll use the Game Spirit in the same way as we used the Haldon Gold Cup and get him at his very best for Cheltenham.”

MAKES ALL

The year-younger Cyrname did not win by quite as far as his stable-companion but still came seven lengths clear of Shantou Rock in another four-runner affair, the Grade 2 32Red Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase.

Sent straight into the lead by Sean Bowen, the five-year-old was never headed and soon shrugged off the runner-up, who briefly looked capable of making a race of it after four out before crying enough in the straight.

Cyrname enjoys going right-handed, jumped particularly well and appreciates the soft. He is clearly very effective over two miles but there was no mention of Cheltenham, Nicholls nominating the Pendil here and the Scilly Isles at Sandown as likely targets. Cyrname was too keen over hurdles and has found his true metier now.