Clan Des Obeaux makes Gold Cup claims

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Clan Des Obeaux proved his Cheltenham Gold Cup claims by winning the Betfair Denman Chase at Ascot.

The trial for the blue riband at the Cheltenham Festival was hotly contested just a week after it was moved from Newbury due to the nationwide racing ban.

Connections of Native River decided not to run at Ascot, but even he may have struggled to stop Clan Des Obeaux.

The seven-year-old comfortably beat Terrefort and Ballyhill and trainer Paul Nicholls believes his charge has a huge chance at Prestbury Park.

Nicholls said: ‘I was a bit nervous running, because you don’t want anything to go wrong this close to Cheltenham.

‘Every time he runs he learns a little bit.

Last year he was a big baby and was looking about in front, but this year he has come together so much.

‘That will have done him the world of good, and it is now about putting the finishing touches to him to get him to perfection for Cheltenham.

‘He has jumped brilliantly, and the confidence is high with him – I can’t wait to go to Cheltenham with a massive chance.’

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