Paul Nicholls says ‘lethal’ Clan Des Obeaux can win Gold Cup

The champion trainer backed up his bullishness by nominating the horse as his “best” chance of a winner at the National Hunt Festival.

It follows a deliberate change in preparations for the dual King George VI Chase winner who was only fifth in last year’s Gold Cup.

After the horse’s first King George success from stablemate Cyrname, Clan Des Obeaux prepared for Cheltenham by winning Newbury’s Denman Chase.

But Nicholls believes that race blunted the horse’s stamina for the Gold Cup, hence why he opted instead for a racecourse gallop at Wincanton.

A formidable force over three miles at Kempton, it remains to be seen whether the Cheltenham trip of three and a quarter miles is within the scope of Clan Des Obeaux.

However the horse, now eight, is certainly pleasing Nicholls as well as owners Sir Alex Ferguson, the former Manchester United manager, Paul Barber and Ged Mason.

“He has had a great preparation,” said Nicholls who is seeking a record-equalling fifth Gold Cup win.

“Last year, we went from Kempton to the Denman Chase, which was put back a week, and then to Cheltenham.

“We are coming in with a different preparation this year because we have worked out that he is best when fresh.”

Nicholls went on: “He is only eight and is bound to have improved. I think he is in as good a shape as he has ever been. He has not won at Cheltenham, but perhaps he will do that in two weeks’ time.

“People say he does not act around there, yet he was just beaten by Whisper in a novices’ chase and finished second in a Caspian Caviar Gold Cup under top weight, when he was half the horse he is now.

“He ran well in last year’s Gold Cup and was bang there jumping the last.

“He did not quite finish off his race and I think that was down to a few things, the preparation being one of them.

“We rode him to the fore last year whereas this year I think we will ride him with more restraint. I think the key is that he is a year older and comes in off a different preparation.

“He is very effective when he is very fit and very fresh – I think he is lethal on those terms.

“I think he is my best chance of the week.”

Nicholls also has high hopes for Saint Sonnet who won at Catterick earlier this week under stable jockey Harry Cobden who will be back on board Clan Des Obeaux after partnering Cyrname in the King George.

“He won nicely at Catterick on Tuesday.

“The plan is for him to run in the Marsh Novices’ Chase,” ventured Nicholls.

“If it dried up he could run in the RSA, but the Marsh is the main aim. He will improve tons from Catterick and there is more to come from him.”

Champion jockey Richard Johnson recorded a quickfire double at Musselburgh on his return to the saddle after breaking his arm just five weeks ago.

Johnson’s successes at the Scottish track saw him reduce the lead of North Yorkshire rider Brian Hughes in this year’s title race to 16.

“My fitness is not too bad, it’s just match fitness that’s a different thing. It doesn’t matter how much swimming or other stuff you do at home, this blows the cobwebs away,” said Johnson after Made For You and Dubai Guest, his only two rides, prevailed.

Brian Ellison’s Randox Health Grand National contender Definitly Red is set to complete his Aintree preparations at Kelso tomorrow under Danny Cook.

The Malton trainer favours a trip to Scotland for the veteran, owned by Phil and Julie 
Martin, over the ultra-competitive Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster.