Sky's the limit for Clan Des Obeaux as Nicholls eyes trainers' title challenge

Paul Nicholls revealed a more patient approach has paid off as he hailed an "exciting" crop of horses led by new Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Clan Des Obeaux.

An outstanding run of form over the Christmas period, when he landed two Grade 1s, has Nicholls glowing with confidence and primed for an assault on an 11th trainers' title.

Successes for Clan Des Obeaux in the King George, Quel Destin and Dynamite Dollars have spearheaded nine wins from 26 runners since Christmas Day and elevated Nicholls to the top of the trainers' table.

Nicholls said: "I have learned, especially over the last few years, to be a little more patient with horses. I always say to my owners 'Rome wasn't built in a day' and I tell them as long as they stick with me, it pays.

"We have a team of lovely horses. We have juveniles who haven't run and bumper horses too. We're beginning to build a strong team of horses, not just for this year but for next season too. It's all very exciting."

The ten-time champion trainer is looking forward to a potential Cheltenham Gold Cup bid with Clan Des Obeaux, a general 8-1 shot for the festival showpiece.

Nicholls, who claimed the King George five times with Kauto Star, has high hopes the six-year-old is another superstar chaser in the making.

He said: "We were thrilled with him as he showed what we all thought and hoped he was capable of doing. I knew he would improve from Haydock but you have to do it on the track and he did it nicely.

Clan Des Obeaux (right): set for Gold Cup bid following King George successCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"His jumping was absolutely exemplary and he travelled into the race well. He won with his ears pricked and that's exactly what you want. Haydock was the making of him, he's gone forward now and I hope he can continue progressing. There's a lot to look forward to."

Nicholls, a master with top three-mile chasers such as Kauto Star, Denman and See More Business, believes Clan Des Obeaux can join them in the hall of fame.

"At this stage he's right up there with them. He's a King George winner and that sort of horse goes on to win Gold Cups. He's a young horse, we haven't been too hard on him and there should be more to come.

"He has come back great, he has eaten up well and is cantering away, and that's a sign of him being a horse with plenty of ability. I haven't made a plan. He goes well fresh, so we could go straight to Cheltenham, but we haven't decided anything yet."

At the start of November, Betfair had Nicholls at around 9-2 to land the trainers' title, a prize he last won in the 2015-16 season, but following three Graded victories in two days over Christmas he has been cut to 9-4. Nicky Henderson, who is going for a hat-trick of titles, remains 2-7 favourite.

Nicholls said: "My way of thinking is to run my horses in the right races and just concentrate on that. We've come a long way since Chepstow in the middle of October when we had a terrible run and were 21st [in the trainers' championship standings] with eight winners.

"In a very short space of time, look where we are now. It has been really good and we just have to keep going forward.

"Nicky will be very hard to beat because of Altior, Buveur D'Air and a lot of those smart youngsters. If we keep banging on and getting winners we would have a little chance, more of a chance than we did in October anyway.

Paul Nicholls: ten-time champion trainerCredit: Getty Images

"If we come out of Cheltenham with half a chance of winning the title then we'll be going for it. We're in a nice position now and I'm just pleased to be where we are compared to the middle of October."

Nicholls is delighted with the part played by young stable jockey Harry Cobden, who has thrived since landing the number one role at Ditcheat.

"Harry has been having a brilliant run and he's learning all the time. He makes some mistakes but he doesn't make them twice," he said.

"We're thrilled with his progress and proud of what he's doing. A few eyebrows were raised when we did what we did but things have worked out. Sam [Twiston-Davies] is having chances and he always will and Bryony [Frost] is continuing to do well too.

"The success isn't all about me, it's about team Ditcheat. Everyone involved has done a great job and I'm proud of all of them."

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