Denman Chase report | Perfect Clan Des Obeaux oozes class in Denman
Clan Des Obeaux completed his Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup preparations with a foot-perfect success in the Betfair Denman Chase at Ascot.
Rearranged at the Berkshire venue after last week's Newbury card was lost because of the equine influenza shutdown, Paul Nicholls' horse cruised to an easy success in the hands of Harry Cobden.
Terrefort cut out the running under Nico de Boinville, but a couple of little mistakes didn't help his cause and he was swept aside by the winner in the closing stages.
Cobden executed his now customary patient tactics aboard Clan Des Obeaux and his mount was travelling all over Terrefort approaching the final fence.
An excellent leap at the last sealed matters and a mere flick of the wrist from Cobden saw Clan Des Obeaux skip away for an 11-length success.
Sky Bet cut the winner to 6/1 from 7s for the Cheltenham Gold Cup (non runner no bet) next month.
14:45 Ascot Full result
1st 1 Clan Des Obeaux (FR) 2/5 f
- Winning Trainer: P F Nicholls
- Winning Jockey: H Cobden
- Runners: 4 ran
- Tote Win: £1.20
- EX: £1.80
- Trifecta: £3.40
- SF: £1.97
Nicholls said: "I was a bit nervous running, because you don't want anything to go wrong this close to Cheltenham.
"Every time he runs he learns a little bit. Last year he was a big baby and was looking about in front, but this year he has come together so much.
"That will have done him the world of good, and it is now about putting the finishing touches to him to get him to perfection for Cheltenham.
"He has jumped brilliantly, and the confidence is high with him - I can't wait to go to Cheltenham with a massive chance."
Nicholls added: "To be fair, he never got any credit for winning the King George. Before the race, it was best King George for years - with Gold Cup winners and everything else - and afterwards it was a bit of a fluke!
"Like a lot of horses, it has taken him a while to get to that mature stage - to become a proper racehorse - but he is there now.
"Kauto Star was seven when he won his first Gold Cup, and this horse is the same age, so we are very much where we want to be.
"I'm dead happy, and we can go to Cheltenham full of confidence."
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