CLAN TO PROVE REST IS BEST
IT worked with Politologue in Wednesday’s Queen Mother Champion Chase and champion trainer Paul Nicholls is hoping that saving Clan Des Obeaux for one big shot will pay off in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup today.
If he is right, the Harry Cobdenridden gelding will give former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, one of Clan Des Obeaux’s three owners, his biggest jumps racing win.
Politologue won Wednesday’s feature race having not run since the start of December. Clan Des Obeaux has not run since winning the King George VI Chase at
Kempton on Boxing Day. In last year’s Gold Cup, Clan Des Obeaux finished fifth to Al Boum Photo, fading in the closing stages. But Nicholls had fitted in an extra race at Ascot in February.
The trainer, who is chasing his fifth Gold Cup and his first since Kauto Star won in 2009, said: ‘I have learned, like Politologue, Clan is much better fresh, so that is what I have done. Look what a difference it made to Politologue.
His win in the Queen Mother Champion Chase was without doubt a career-best.
‘We rode Clan fairly positively last year. He was probably not the same horse he is now. He is a year older and stronger. I am happy I have got Clan in as good form as possible. If he doesn’t get the trip, he will never get it.’
Ladbrokes make Clan Des Obeaux an 8-1 shot. Their best-backed horse is 13-2 shot Lostintranslation — a body builder of an equine athlete with some top form.
But the big question mark for Colin Tizzard’s runner is his pulled-up run behind Clan Des Obeaux in the King George. He has had a breathing operation since then, while Nicky Henderson’s giant Santini will relish the three-and-a-quarter mile stamina test, but looks a tad clumsy for a race that will be frenetic.
Favourite at 7-4 is Al Boum Photo. Last year he gave Mullins his first Gold Cup victory. He is trying to become the first horse since Henrietta Knight’s triple winner Best Mate (2002-04) to win successive Gold Cups and the first Irish-trained horse to do it since the Tommy Carberry-ridden L’Escargot for trainer Dan Moore in 1970 and 1971.
‘If it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ is the mantra Mullins has adopted with Al Boum Photo.
Faced with a puzzle where at least 10 of the 12 runners have a feasible chance of winning, following a tried-and-trusted contender, at a time when the immediate future of the sport is clouded by coronavirus uncertainty, will appeal to plenty of punters trying to find the victor of the £625,000 chase.
Before his 2019 win, Al Boum Photo had run only once in the season, triumphing at Tramore on New Year’s Day, and Paul Townend’s mount has done the same thing.
Mullins said: ‘I am a creature of habit and when something works we go back and do it again. He is going to come into the race nice and fresh off a confidence-boosting prep run.
‘Statistically, it’s very hard for Gold Cup winners to come back and win. For a lot of them, their form takes a huge dip, but he’s laid that bogey. He’s done it —
albeit in a Grade Two race at Tramore — and goes to Cheltenham with a win under his belt.
‘I thought last year’s Gold Cup was tough and I don’t think this season’s is any tougher.
‘All I know is that he is on target for where we were last year. He has a fantastic chance.’
Mullins’ amateur rider son Patrick rides the trainer’s second runner, Kemboy, who stumbled and unseated his jockey at the first fence in last year’s Gold Cup before gaining impressive wins at Aintree’s Grand National meeting and the Punchestown Festival. The suspicion, however, is that he needs better ground.
Female jockey of the moment, Rachael Blackmore, rides consistent Monalee but he looks an uncertain stayer. It’s Gordon Elliott-trained
Delta Work who is arguably the most solid Irish contender. He is a Festival winner over hurdles and was third in last season’s RSA Chase.
He arrives here on the back of two Grade One wins in Ireland, including last month’s Irish Gold Cup. It’s hard to see him out of the frame.
I have a persistent voice in my head saying don’t ignore Irish Gold Cup third Presenting Percy.
He was last year’s favourite, despite a rocky preparation. This season things have been much smoother, but no doubt to the relief of his reclusive trainer Pat Kelly, Presenting Percy — already a dual Festival winner — arrives at the meeting well and truly under the radar.
Davy Russell’s mount looks to have been peaked for one big day and is a great each-way option.