Clan Des Obeaux likely to head for Aintree - (2026)

Paul Nicholls is keen on the notion of sending Clan Des Obeaux for next month’s Aintree Bowl after he finished an honourable fifth in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

The King George hero was well-backed for the Blue Riband and travelled smoothly through the race for Harry Cobden.

Clan Des Obeaux however was outstayed up the Cheltenham hill as Al Boum Photo took the Gold Cup for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.

Reflecting on the race, Nicholls felt the early morning rain at Cheltenham had gone against his charge, though he was content that the seven-year-old would have learned plenty from his experience of finishing fifth in such a testing race.

“Clan Des Obeaux has come back fine. He just got outstayed from the back of the last,” said the Ditcheat handler.

“He could have done without that rain on the morning of the race as three and a quarter miles on that ground takes some getting, but he still ran a super race.

“He is only seven and will learn from that experience. You can’t say he didn’t handle the track, but I think he is a little bit better on flatter tracks.”

With Aintree deemed more likely to play to his strengths, the thought of racing over an extended three-miles and one-furlong doesn’t concern Nicholls.

The trainers’ championship battle with Nicky Henderson seems likely to go to the wire and Nicholls is already thinking of getting Clan Des Obeaux in shape once again for Aintree in order to boost his Grade One firepower.

“We will let the dust settle, the Bowl at Aintree is a possibility as three-miles-one around Aintree on a flat track would suit him well, but I’ve just got to speak to the owners,” Nicholls added.

Clan Des Obeaux can be backed at 6/1 with Betfred to retain his King George crown at Kempton later this year. Altior is being touted for a step up to three-miles for the Boxing Day showpiece next season and is currently the favourite at 5/1.

Odds subject to change.