SCOTT’S REGAL DUO
Scott Marshall has two big reasons to be looking forward to another special afternoon at Kempton on Boxing Day. Marshall proud of Kempton aces
A former jockey over jumps and on the Flat, he is lucky enough to be the gallops partner of Paul Nicholls-trained pair Clan Des Obeaux and Cyrname who are almost inseparable at the head of the betting for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.
And to add to his excitement, the “mad keen” Rangers fan will be keeping a close eye on his Ibrox idols’ lunchtime Premiership encounter with Hibs.
Classy Cyrname, currently the highest- rated British jumper in training, is seeking revenge after suf fering a 21- length drubbing from his stablemate in the festive cracker twelve months ago.
Hawick-born Marshall, 34, said: “Clan Des Obeaux is trying for his third King George as he beat Thistlecrack in 2018 and Cyrname has plenty of ground to make up from their meeting last year.
“I go wherever Clan runs and I’ve had some special days with him. I was fortunate to lead him up when he won both King Georges, and ran in two Gold Cups, and I’ve led up Cyrname a few times when he has won too.
“The style of the way the King George is run - a good fast pace for the whole three miles - seems to set it up perfectly for Clan. Certainly, at this time of year and round that track, he seems to be better than anywhere else.
“There isn’t much between them, in the betting or on official ratings but I still think he is the one to beat and there will be no hiding place on Boxing Day.”
Marshall, who spent time with Mark Johnston, Nicky Richards and Willie Amos, also had a stint away from racing when working in a factory before he teamed-up with the eleven-time champion trainer Nicholls six years ago.
He now rides out Cyrname and Clan Des Obeaux every day and added: “They are totally different types of horses, at home and on the racecourse where they have two styles of running.
“Cyrname came from France and took a while to come to terms with the British way of training. Mind you, from the stories we’ve heard, he was quite a handful in France as well so he just took a bit of settling into our routine.
“Visually he was impressive in the Charlie Hall Chase and you couldn’t fault him. He certainly silenced a few of the keyboard warriors on social media that day!
“He was more of an unknown quantity as he was too free at
home but he has now settled better, enabling him to fulfil his potential. It’s quite surreal and I never thought I would be riding the highest rated horse in the UK.
“Clan was very different and he was like an old handicapper when he was a young horse. He was a big three-year- old and has just slowly matured. For me he has always been a bit special with the feel he gives you on the gallops.”