Clan Des Obeaux tuning up nicely for Cheltenham Gold Cup

It was the campaign when Ferguson’s Manchester United won the ’treble’. It saw Barber’s See More Business land the Gold Cup – jump racing’s ‘holy grail’. And it was the year when Cobden was born.

Fast forward 21 years and it is now Cobden who will attempt to make Cheltenham history today on Clan Des Obeaux who the now-retired Ferguson and Barber, a dairy farmer, co-own with their mutual friend Ged Mason.

This is the horse that came of age when winning the 2018 King George VI Chase at Kempton in Cobden’s first season as the fresh-faced stable jockey to champion trainer Paul Nicholls whose Politologue won Wednesday’s Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Yet the horse appeared not to stay the extended three and a quarter mile trip in last year’s Gold Cup when finishing fifth to the Willie Mullins-trained Al Boum Photo who is attempting to become the first horse since Best Mate to successfully defend Cheltenham’s ultimate race.

But a second King George last December under substitute jockey Sam Twiston-Davies – Cobden had opted to stay loyal to Cyrname who was, ultimately, a well-beaten runner-up – suggested Clan Des Obeaux was physically stronger.

Cobden certainly believes this to be the case – he told The Yorkshire Post at Doncaster on Grimthorpe Chase day that he believed Clan Des Obeaux now has the physical attributes to challenge for a Gold Cup if the ground continues to dry out at Cheltenham.

And those who concur include legendary Yorkshire trainer Michael Dickinson who trained the first five home in the 1983 Gold Cup – it is his view that the King George form is the strongest of all going into today’s race.

They are words that certainly encourage Cobden as he reflects on his own journey since being born on November 5, 1998, as Ferguson’s footballers and See More Business were enjoying defining campaigns.

“I wasn’t even one when See More Business won the Gold Cup, so I can’t remember any of it at all!” says Cobden who combines his twin loves of racing and farming so he’s better placed, mentally and physically, to handle the pressure occasions.

“Obviously See More Business was a phenomenal horse and one that really put Paul (Nicholls) firmly on the map to help him get to the position he is in today.”

Like See More Business who was taken out of the 1998 Gold Cup when Cyborgo was pulled up sharply by AP McCoy, Clan Des Obeaux will be bidding to make it second time lucky in the Gold Cup and Cobden believes he is easily capable of an even bolder showing this time round.

He said: “He looks physically stronger and better than 12 months ago. The rain didn’t help him last year the day before, as it turned the ground really soft. To be honest he travelled to the bottom of the hill and jumped the second-last upsides them, but just got tired. He is older and wiser and if he is better this year he should stay further. If that ground doesn’t become testing he has got a huge chance, all being well.”

Clan Des Obeaux – who stepped up his Gold Cup preparations with a recent racecourse gallop at Wincanton – goes to Cheltenham a fresh horse, with just two starts this season.

Cobden said: “I think Paul is more pleased with him this season. He is going there straight from the King George, so I suppose that is always a plus as he will be going there very fresh.

“A few horses have been running on heavy ground in the run-up before the big day and that must have some small effect on them. He will probably be the freshest horse going there, so theoretically he is having the perfect preparation.”

Cobden also believes that Clan Des Obeaux’s King George triumph was the performance of a potential Gold Cup winner. “When he hit the front he pricked his ears, but he still scooted away and won by 21 lengths,” he ventured. “It was a serious performance. I know Cyrname was not at his best, but he still won it really well, which is what you want to see from a potential Gold Cup winner.”

Assessing the potential opposition, Cobden said: “I think Al Boum Photo is still the one to beat. Willie (Mullins) has kept him fresh and he is going straight there again.

“Delta Work is the new kid on the block, winning all those nice races over in Ireland. Santini is a nice horse in his own right as is Lostinstranslation, but I personally think Al Boum Photo and Delta Work’s form is the best in the book this season.”

Having already achieved more than many could ever hope for in the saddle, victory in the Gold Cup would not be lost on Cobden. “I’m only 21 and the Gold Cup is the main race I want to win,” he added. “I’d rather win a Gold Cup over a Grand National. It is the ultimate aim and it would be great to do it on Clan, as he has been a magnificent horse to me.”