"We're going to go" - Clan Des Obeaux set for Punchestown Gold Cup

Paul Nicholls and his team announced today that runaway Aintree Bowl winner, Clan Des Obeaux will be supplemented into the Punchestown Gold Cup, which takes place next Wednesday.

Having skipped a third outing in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Nicholls' two-time King George winner put his rivals to the sword at Aintree. Harry Cobden pushed his mount to the front four fences from home, and the duo never looked back, streaking clear to win by 26 lengths.

Nicholls had originally planned to run Clan Des Obeaux under top-weight in the bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Sandown on Saturday. However, after discussions with the owners, Nicholls has decided to go down the Grade One route.

“I’d been deliberating about it for the last week really." Nicholls told the Racing Post on Wednesday. "Thursday is the day we had to supplement him for Punchestown and the same day we had to declare for Sandown. The weather forecast looks dry, which is good, so we’re going to go."

"Everybody has wanted to know what’s happening but it hasn’t been easy getting everything organised travel-wise to get to Ireland with the staff."

“I wanted to tick all the boxes first, make sure the horse is right and talk with Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson and Paul Barber [owners] to make sure everything was right. We made a unanimous decision to go which is exciting.

"I’ve always thought Punchestown would suit him and the weather is nice, whereas Sandown would have been a bit of an unknown with him.

"He would have been carrying a lot of weight over three miles five furlongs and in the back of my mind I wasn’t 100 per cent convinced he would get that trip, he’s almost got a bit too much boot for it."

"Punchestown will probably be a smallish field and it will suit him. It’s a Grade 1, you’d expect that (strong opposition), but he’s used to running in those races and he’s in really good form at the moment. It’s a challenge but we’re looking forward to it."

Clan Des Obeaux has run in Ireland once before, finishing a close second behind Road To Respect in the Down Royal Champion Chase in 2019. 

Race sponsors Ladbrokes make Nicholls' raider the 5/1 third-favourite to win at Punchestown, behind strong favourite Minella Indo and Al Boum Photo.