FERGIE’S UP FOR GOLD THE CUP
His Clan Des Obeaux can land top prize
CHAMPION trainer Paul Nicholls is confident he has Clan Des Obeaux in the form of his life as the gelding attempts to win today’s Cheltenham Gold Cup for Alex Ferguson (left). The former Manchester United boss is one of three co-owners of Clan Des Obeaux, who was fifth last year. Nicholls said: ‘Clan is a year older and stronger. I’ve got him in as good form as possible.’
IT IS 17 years since there was a winner of back-to-back Gold Cups — but that record could be blown away today by AL BOUM PHOTO.
Events have not gone entirely to plan this week for Willie Mullins, whose talented gelding provided the brilliant trainer with a first victory in chasing’s blue-riband event 12 months ago. Now connections are adopting a policy of ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.
Al Boum Photo has had exactly the same preparation for today’s feature — winning comfortably at Tramore and following the pattern of 11 of the last 12 winners by running no more than three times in the season.
At the age of eight and with few miles on the clock, the best could still be to come from Al Boum Photo, and the form of his Tramore victory was handed a nice boost when the runner-up won by 16 lengths on his next start.
Santini will be a huge threat if he is still within striking distance running to the final fence, and his knowledge of Cheltenham and another light campaign should ensure he is on the scene.
Last year’s fifth, Clan Des Obeaux, is another to consider because he was arguably ridden too aggressively 12 months ago and will be a stronger horse this time around.