TWISTON SHOUT
Sam’s the big noise as he returns to the big time with Clan Des Obeaux, trained by his former boss
CLAN DES OBEAUX defended his Ladbrokes King George VI Chase title in style at Kempton – to return Sam Twiston-Davies to the bigrace limelight.
Twiston-Davies feared his days of landing jump racing’s most cherished prizes were over when he split from champion trainer – and boss of four years – Paul Nicholls in May 2018.
But Nicholls handed his former stable jockey the mount aboard the reigning champion when his successor in the role, Harry Cobden, chose to partner 5-4 favourite Cyrname.
The 27-year-old grasped the opportunity, sending 11-2 shot Clan Des Obeaux past Cyrname at the second-last for a 21-length supremacy.
“It’s incredibly special,” admitted Twiston-Davies. “When you leave an operation like Paul’s, you think days like today will be incredibly hard to come by.
“It’s very hard to get Grade 1 rides – to ride ride one of Paul’s with such a good chance in a race like this is a real buzz.”
Nicholls, winning the Boxing Day feature for a record 11th time, beamed: “It’s nice to have a 1-2 and it’s nice for Sam.
“‘Clan’ had a fantastic preparation. He ran really well at Down Royal and you are never going to win first time up with him.
“Today was the day.” Nicholls (right) added: “He’s a better horse this year.
“Cheltenham is a definite possibility, because I do think he’s that much stronger.” Cobden said of Cyrname’s second placing: “He just didn’t give his running today – he was very flat the whole way.” Disappointment of the race was Lostintranslation, sent off the punters’ 15-8 second choice but well adrift when pulled up three out by Robbie Power. Trainer Colin Tizzard, whose 2016 victor Thistlecrack was a non-runner with a bruised foot, revealed: “It might be a wind issue. We will have his breathing checked out.” Epatante bounded to the head of the Champion Hurdle betting with a fivelength Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle romp. “She was impressive, wasn’t she?” said trainer Nicky Henderson.
William Hill cut the five-yearold to 7-2 market leader for Cheltenham’s Tuesday feature.