Gold Cup flop Clan Des Obeaux won't run at Cheltenham again says Paul Nicholls

Cheltenham Gold Cup disappointment Clan Des Obeaux will not be asked to race again at Cheltenham, but the eight-year-old remains on course to take his chance in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup at the end of next month.

The clear-cut King George VI Chase winner never looked happy behind eventual winner Al Boum Photo in the Magners-sponsored festival showpiece on Friday, finishing eighth and 17 lengths behind the dual winner, after which trainer Paul Nicholls ruled out a return for next year’s Gold Cup.

Clan Des Obeaux (right) has finished second at Cheltenham three times, including in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup (pictured), but has never won at the trackCredit: Mark Cranham

Speaking on Saturday, he said: “The horse is fine in himself but he will not be returning to Cheltenham again as he just didn't run his race. He never really travelled being held up off the pace, didn't seem happy behind horses and never really got rolling at any stage of the race.

“The main thing is he's back safe and sound and there's every chance he'll go over to Punchestown for their Gold Cup next month – if it’s on.

"And next season he'll be trained specifically for a third King George win at Kempton over the Christmas period, then we might think about Punchestown again.”

Clan Des Obeaux at Cheltenham

6 runs
0 wins
3 seconds
0 thirds

Clan Des Obeaux at other tracks

16 runs
8 wins
3 seconds
1 third

Nicholls also revealed that Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Politologue and Solo, who finished eighth behind Burning Victory in the JCB Triumph Hurdle, had returned to Ditcheat none the worse for their festival exertions.

However, plans for the pair are fluid as Nicholls aims to talk over the situation with their respective owners John Hales and Johnny de la Hay before setting out possible targets for the rest of the season.

He said: “They have both come back looking well in themselves but there is no rush as it's early days with them. I'll chat it over with John and Johnny over the coming days and we'll make our decisions after those discussions have taken place.”

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