I MUST admit throughout my punting and tipping career I have  nearly always steered clear of short prices selections, but this week I am going to make a huge exception.

For the last two years we have seen the apparent demise of CYRNAME following his second run of the season, but to me it is as clear as the light of day that this uber-talented nine-year-old is, quite obviously, best fresh on a decent surface from two-and-a-half to three miles.

Quite simply put, he just doesn’t take his racing at all well. And the recent quote from Paul Nicholls — “He’s the same as he was this time last year. He’s fresh which suits him and worked great this morning, and so we’re very happy with him” — provides me with ample back up to selecting him here.

I already knew that freshness was the key to him, but to get the green light from one of the greatest trainers of our generation that his charge is bouncing is all I needed to grant him a strong tip for the Charlie Hall Chase at Newbury, due off at 3.05. Only his short price stopped me from making him my best bet of the day.

Yes, there may well be young pretenders set to line up against him in the form of Clondaw Castle and Fusil Raffles, but that pair are rated some 9lbs and 16lbs behind him on official ratings; enough said.

And with Kitty’s Light sure to be outpaced over this trip, probably using this as a starting point for the Welsh National, and second favourite Shan Blue a massive 20lbs behind the short-priced favourite, this looks a perfect set-up for last year’s winner to double up.

The other big race of the day is the Great Yorkshire Hurdle (2.30), and in a division crying out for a new star to make a big impact this season, I strongly fancy RUN FOR OSCAR to turn over the former champion Paisley Park.

Two years ago the latter was awesome at Cheltenham and could even afford a heart stopping jolt at the final hurdle before going on to win the staying crown in style. But he looked in severe decline last year, with a physical issue not helping.

The selection is gradually making his way through the staying ranks, and although he only won handicaps at the back end of last term off 127 and 128, he came out this season with a strong at-the-line three-length success over two-and-a-half miles at Listowel, off a rating of 133.

Of course, that still leaves him some way behind the leading protagonists at this loftier level. But he comes here race fit. He will absolutely relish the step up to three miles and is under the care of one of the shrewdest handlers around.

To be brutally honest about it, I wanted a double-figure price for the youngster, but he has been well supported in the ante-post lists. So 9/1 will simply have to do. But if all eight runners hold their ground, he looks the proverbial each-way play.

As far as the rest of the card is concerned, I fancy a huge run from the still highly regarded MARIE’S ROCK in the mares’ Listed hurdle at 1.55, while MACKENBERG can continue the superb start to the season of trainer Don McCain in the two-and-a-half handicap hurdle at 3.40.

There are some big prizes up for grabs at Ascot, none more so than in the Bateaux London Gold Cup Handicap Chase over three miles at 3.20.

With 2019 winner Vinndication and course specialist Benny King heading the weights off respective marks of 158 and 157 this looks a fairly deep renewal. Going on 14-years-old, Regal Encore is always to be feared around here with his course record, but connections would surely have wanted more dig in the ground to slow his rivals up. The each-way nod has to go to the Gary Moore trained LARRY down the bottom of the weights at around the 14/1 mark.

It’s true that he was beaten out of sight by the top weight in this race two years ago, but he has a massive turnaround at some 18lbs here, and after a frustrating 18 months with niggly injuries he comes here with a run under his belt to boot.

He was about to win that comeback race at Fakenham until he was hampered by a loose horse at the last obstacle and unseating Jamie Moore.

That should have the selection at fever pitch for this valuable contest, and he is taken to get the better of the two top weights and the very well handicapped Jerrysback.

The decent ground should also see GETAWAY TRUMP to return to winning form in a competitive two-mile handicap chase at 2.45, while outsider GET YOUR OWN (nap) can put a modest opening run of the season at Doncaster well and truly behind him by landing the Listed Bateaux Handicap Hurdle at 2.10 from the likely favourite Soaring Glory.

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo makes his return to action in the Grade One Champion Chase (2.50) at Down Royal.

However, he may well need this run and is up against two feisty opponents in King George hero Frodon and the National Hunt Chase winner GALVIN (nb).

The last named also has the benefit of a run under his belt and could propel himself into the Gold Cup picture with a victory here, with the Grand National also an obvious late season target as well.

Finally, take a second look at RIVER CHORUS off top weight in the 6.00 at Wolverhampton.

The three-year-old has plummeted from a mark of 75 early in his career to his current rating of 55, but showed last time out at Kempton Park that his turn was close at hand.