Clan Des Obeaux set for Bowl as Nicholls puts finishing touches to Aintree team

Clan Des Obeaux, who emerged as arguably Britain's premier staying chaser with his classy victory in the King George, has the chance to regain the winning thread at Aintree on Thursday after his exercise on Saturday morning enabled Paul Nicholls to give him the green light for the Betway Bowl.

Owned by Nicholls' landlord Paul Barber, sponsor Ged Mason and Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, Clan Des Obeaux finished only fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but heads the betting for the Bowl, which he was third in last year, at 11-4 with Coral and William Hill.

The seven-year-old will be part of a formidable squad the trainer will send to Merseyside and he said on Sunday: "I worked some of the horses who ran at Cheltenham – including Clan Des Obeaux, Topofthegame, Brio Conti – and they all worked nicely and are fresh and well, so we're going to run them at Aintree.

"You don't really know because they had hard races at Cheltenham but they all appear to be really fresh and well and we're well happy with them.

"The track will suit Clan at Aintree as it's an easier track than Cheltenham and the ground will be better."

Nicholls added: "I knew on Gold Cup day that the rain in the morning was going to finish our chance. We've not really got an issue with his stamina, but three-miles-two-and-a-half-furlongs at Cheltenham is different from three-one at Aintree and he ran well in the race last year, when he was nowhere near ready."

Nicholls, who has won four Bowls, but not with jumps icons Kauto Star and Denman who were beaten in it, added: "Clan stayed well at Kempton and at Ascot in the Denman Chase, but the ground just changed for the Gold Cup and to win that race you need absolutely everything in your favour, and we didn't that day.

"It could be he's better on a flatter track, but give him another year he might stay that bit stronger. That said, Aintree will suit him well."

RSA winner Topofthegame will also be on duty for the yard in Friday's Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase, while Champion Chase second Politologue will bid to capture the JLT Chase, which is registered as the Melling, for the second year running.

Topofthegame: strapping RSA winner set for the MildmayCredit: Getty Images

Southfield Stone and Christopher Wood – who did not run at Cheltenham – are also primed for Grade 1 assignments at Aintree in the Betway Top Novices' Hurdle and Doom Bar Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle.

"Southfield Stone won the Dovecote nicely and will like the flat track and goodish ground, while Christopher Wood was never in the Triumph because we were a bit in the dark about him," the ten-time champion trainer continued. "We probably should have put him in, but it may have suited him not going to Cheltenham. He's a really nice horse and I'm looking forward to running him."

The Ditcheat operator is unsure if he will have a runner in the Randox Health Grand National on Saturday as Warriors Tale could join Adrien Du Pont and San Benedeto, who schooled over mocks of the famous fences at David Pipe's yard this week, in the Topham, which is also sponsored by the healthcare specialist.

"I'd say Warriors Tale would run on Friday in the Topham, but I haven't spoken to Trevor Hemmings' team yet," he said.

"They might want him to run in the National on good ground, but he'll be in both races and we'll have a look.

"San Benedeto and Adrien Du Pont went to Pipey's and jumped really well, so I'm looking forward to next week. We've got Wonderful Charm in the Foxhunters' and Tommy Silver in the handicap chase on Saturday as well, so we've got a good team."

That team is unlikely to include Johnny de la Hay's Cyrname, recognised as the best chaser in Britain by BHA handicappers.

He has the option of the Melling, but Nicholls is leaning to Sandown's bet365 Celebration Chase and a mouthwatering clash with Altior on April 27 if the star seven-year-old does run again this season.

He said. "If the ground was very soft and testing at Aintree we probably would have had a look at it, but it isn't going to be like that. I'm meeting Johnny at Ascot today so we'll have a chat, but I'd say we'd probably wait for Sandown. We won't go anywhere if it's not suitable ground."

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