Cyrname or Clan? Nicholls says it's a tough call for Cobden in King George

Paul Nicholls is backing the wisdom of youth to get things right in next week's Ladbrokes King George VI Chase even if he admits the decision Harry Cobden faces is tougher than many appreciate.

Nicholls' stable jockey won the Kempton highlight on Clan Des Obeaux last year and could partner him again, although the case to ride the exciting Cyrname – who dethroned the mighty Altior in Ascot's 1965 Chase last month – is also compelling.

Cobden, 21, got things spot on 12 months ago when siding with Clan Des Obeaux over Politologue, but things are not so straightforward this time, according to Nicholls.

King George VI Chase entries

"If Harry rides Clan, Sean Bowen will ride Cyrname and if it's the other way round Sam Twiston-Davies will ride Clan," the champion trainer said when hosting the media at his decorated Ditcheat yard on Tuesday morning.

"Harry's probably made his mind up, but I've told him not to make a decision until the end of this week as anything can go wrong. Either way we've got a high-class jockey for the other horse and it won't be an issue at all."

Nicholls, who has saddled a record ten King George winners, appears to have leading claims again as Cyrname heads the betting at 7-4, while Clan Des Obeaux can be backed at 9-2 with the sponsors.

He added: "I said it would be hard to get off Cyrname after what he's done, but I think it's a very hard call, I really do. Clan is last year's winner, looks great and has had a great prep.

"I'm not going to influence Harry at all. They've both got good sets of owners, whom Harry gets on well with, and the only thing I said was to put emotion aside and ride on the day what you think has the best chance of winning.

"Clan is last year's winner and we know he's effective round there. Harry got it right last year but he was adamant he'd ride Clan. I'm not sure he's so sure this year. It's a bigger decision, but he's dead relaxed about it. I think he's made his mind up, but I won't know until he tells me."

Nicholls was doing little to put punters off either horse, purring about their condition and indicated improvement was expected from their seasonal returns.

Of the De la Hey family's Cyrname, he went on: "He did a nice piece of work this morning and he'll school on Thursday, but he's exactly where we want him and he hasn't had any hiccups.

"He's got form around Kempton and the flat track suits him; he's got a lot in his favour and I don't see the trip being a problem. I've always thought he's made for the King George."

Clan Des Obeaux, a pleasing second in Down Royal's Champion Chase last month, runs in the colours of Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson and Nicholls' landlord Paul Barber.

"I'm very happy with him and he loves going right-handed, while Kempton seems to suit as they go a good gallop," continued the former jump jockey, who never rode in the King George.

"Seeing him there in his coat this morning, he looks amazing and is in really good shape. Horses who win King Georges have a habit of winning two or three."

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