Speed to burn: Robbie Power puts faith in Gold Cup contender Lostintranslation

Robbie Power believes Lostintranslation has the attributes to make up into a genuine Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup contender after his scintillating return to action at Carlisle on Sunday.

The seven-year-old put in an exhibition round of jumping when making all to win a 2m4f Listed graduation chase as he liked at the Cumbria track.

After landing odds of 1-2 at the expense of Count Meribel, Colin Tizzard's rising star was cut to 7-1 second favourite by most firms for Gold Cup glory next March.

Power said: "I was delighted with the feel Lostintranslation gave me at Carlisle on Sunday when he jumped unbelievably well. It was all very smooth and he did no more than he was supposed to do. I couldn't have been happier with him.

"He's a horse who has a very high cruising speed and jumps very well. He's definitely not slow either – he's got plenty of gears.

"We'll know more about his Cheltenham Gold Cup credentials when he goes in against the big boys in the Betfair Chase."

Lostintranslation wins the 2m4f intermediate chase at Carlisle under Robbie PowerCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Before any Cheltenham targets are realised, last year's JLT Novices' Chase runner-up is set to tackle the Betfair Chase at Haydock on October 23, for which he is generally 2-1 second favourite behind Bristol De Mai.

Power, who won the Gold Cup aboard Sizing John, added: "The big fences at Haydock should suit him well. He's a very balanced horse and the sort who suits most tracks. My only worry about Haydock would be if the ground got bottomless as he's much better when the ground isn't really testing.

"I've always liked him from day one – the day I rode him over hurdles at Chepstow two seasons back – and he has progressed nicely since then, performing so well in the best of company in novice chases last season.

"He's a big horse, he stands 16.3hh and is only now filling his frame."

Tizzard has won the Betfair Chase three times since its inaugural running in 2005, with Cue Card proving too good for his opponents in 2013, 2015 and 2016.

'Bring on Kempton' says Nicholls

Rather than take on Lostintranslation at Haydock, Paul Nicholls is to follow a familiar pattern by taking Clan Des Obeaux straight to the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on December 26 after his highly respectable return to action at Down Royal on Saturday.

The champion trainer gave his seven-year-old just one outing before his triumph in the Christmas feature a year ago and is to stick to the same plan following his honourable second to Road To Respect in Saturday's Grade 1.

Nicholls has won the King George on a record ten occasions, five of which were thanks to the brilliant Kauto Star. The trainer boasts two further dual winners on his CV in See More Business and Silviniaco Conti and could add another should Clan Des Obeaux oblige on December 26.

"We were delighted with Clan Des Obeaux at the weekend – he ran great until getting a bit tired on the run-in," said Nicholls. "We said beforehand that we would head straight to Kempton after that and we're sticking to that."

Clan Des Obeaux: will bid to repeat his King George victory from 12 months agoCredit: Mark Cranham

Clan Des Obeaux, who accounted for Tizzard pair Thistlecrack and Native River at Kempton last year, was on Monday cut to 5-1 third favourite (from 7) by Betfred for a follow-up victory.

Nicholls added: "Clan Des Obeaux always comes on for his first run of the season and travelled powerfully until getting a little tired going to the last fence. Bring on Kempton!"

After his King George triumph last year, Clan Des Obeaux went on to land the Denman Chase at Ascot before finishing a decent fifth to Al Boum Photo in the Gold Cup, and is expected to follow a similar route this winter.

Nicholls said: "He seems in good form after Saturday and will go to Kempton a fresh horse. There is a decent programme laid out for him again."

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