Paul Nicholls claimed his tenth King George this Boxing Day as Clan Des Obeaux got the better of some better-fancied chasers to land the feature race of the card at Kempton.
The trainer of past stars of the chasing game, Kauto Star and Denman, gave credit to the winning jockey Harry Cobden for seeing more in the 12-1 shot than the layers did after his performance at Haydock last time out.
Speaking to ITV racing after the race he revealed what Cobden told him when he was asked which of his runners he’d like to ride in the race. “There’s only one I’m going to ride,” Nicholls recalls him saying. “That’s top class form and he’ll come on - and he was right.”
The ten-year-old Thistlecrack looked for a long time like he was going to land a blow for the romantics on the afternoon, only being bested on the way home by the eventual winner. It was a fine performance from the victor, who tanked along on the bridle as the front two pulled clear of the rest before putting things to bed.
Last year’s Gold Cup hero Native River plugged on for third with Nicholls’ other runner Politologue in back in fourth.
Apart from those there were hard luck stories written and question marks underlined on the afternoon. Waiting Patiently, thought to have a strong chance for Ruth Jefferson, was unlucky to be brought down by Bristol de Mai midway through the race, leaving jockey Brian Hughes to thump the softening Kempton turf in frustration.
Meanwhile champion trainer Nicky Henderson will surely be concerned by what was another underwhelming showing from the mercurial Might Bite.
But it was to be a joyous afternoon for connections of Clan Des Obeaux, who include Paul Barber of Denman fame and the former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
A slow-maturing type who has announced himself in no uncertain fashion today at the age of six, Nicholls and Barber might just dare to dream that they’ve got another on their hands that could give them days like their old muckers did in years gone by.
Bookmakers Bet365 went 6/1 for the Gold Cup in reaction to today's triumph.
