Nicholls anticipating bold Gold run from Clan Des Obeaux

Paul Nicholls is confident Clan Des Obeaux can lay his Cheltenham ghost to rest by providing him with a record-equalling fifth Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The dual King George Chase VI winner will attempt to make it sixth-time lucky at the track by improving on his fifth place in the feature event 12 months ago.

Despite Clan Des Obeaux drawing a blank in his five previous visits to Cheltenham, the champion trainer still rates him one of his best chances of a winner at this year’s Festival.

Nicholls said: “He hasn’t won at Cheltenham yet, but perhaps it will happen in two weeks’ time. Some have said he doesn’t act at Cheltenham, but he hasn’t run too badly there.

“He wasn’t beaten much by Whisper in a novice chase there and he carried top-weight, and he was second in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup when he was half the horse he is now.

“He ran well in last year’s Gold Cup, he was fifth and jumped the last bang there with them, but didn’t quite finish.

“I think Clan has got a great chance and I’m quietly confident he will give us a good race.”