Paul Nicholls© Photo Healy Racing
Clan Des Obeaux cemented his Cheltenham Gold Cup claims with a facile success in the Betfair Denman Chase at Ascot.
This recognised trial for the blue riband at Prestbury Park next month was swiftly re-scheduled following the abandonment of racing at Newbury last Saturday because of the outbreak of equine influenza.
With connections of last season’s Gold Cup hero Native River deciding against running at Ascot, Clan Des Obeaux’s task appeared significantly more straightforward than it would have been at Newbury a week ago — and he was priced up accordingly as the 2-5 favourite for Paul Nicholls.
Nicky Henderson’s grey Terrefort led the four-strong field for much of the three-mile journey under Nico de Boinville, with Clan Des Obeaux always in his wing mirrors in the hands of an ultra-confident Harry Cobden.
Terrefort stuck to his task gamely, but Clan Des Obeaux breezed alongside before taking over the running on the run to the final fence — and a huge leap sealed his victory.
The way he extended lengths clear on the run-in was particularly impressive, and Paddy Power reacted by cutting his price for the Magners Gold Cup on March 15 to 6-1 from 8-1.
