Al Boum Photo and Paul Townend after winning the 2019 Cheltenham Gold Cup. (Pic: Courtesy of Cheltenham Racecourse).
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DUAL King George VI Chase winner Clan Des Obeaux features amongst 31 entries for the 2020 Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham on March 13.
The eight-year-old secured trainer Paul Nicholls’ 11th win in the King George at Kempton Park on Boxing day when he trounced a boutique field to score by 21 lengths from his better fancied stablemate Cyrname.
The manner of the victory confirmed Clan Des Obeaux’s prominent position in the betting for the Cheltenham Gold Cup where he is best-priced at 8-1, but as short as 6-1, behind last year’s winner Al Boum Photo (5-1) and the Willie Mullins- trained stablemate Kemboy (7-1).
Clan Des Obeux finished fifth in the 2019 Gold Cup and bids to become the fifth winner of the feature race at the Cheltenham Festival for multiple champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who won the race with See More Business (1999), Kauto Star (2007 & 2009) and Denman (2008).
The Grade 1 highlight carries a total prize fund of at least £625,000 and is contested over an extended three and a quarter miles on the New Course on the fourth and final day of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.
Last year Al Boum Photo ended Willie Mullins’ long wait for a first victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, after Ireland’s multiple champion national hunt trainer had saddled the runner-up on six occasions.
Best Mate (2002, 2003, 2004) is the most recent horse to successfully defend the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup.
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The Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup 2020
Grade 1, £625,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.30pm, Cheltenham, Friday, March 13, 2020. Three miles, two and a half furlongs (3m 2f 70y). Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed Tuesday, January 7 (31 entries), scratchings’ deadline Tuesday, February 11, £31,250 supplementary entry stage & six-day confirmation stage Saturday, March 7. Final 48-hour declaration stage, 10.00am, Wednesday, March 11 Maximum number of runners – 24.
| Horse |
Age |
Owner | Trainer |
| Al Boum Photo (FR) | 8 | Marie Donnelly | Willie Mullins IRE |
| Alpha des Obeaux (FR) | 10 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Balko des Flos (FR) | 9 | Gigginstown House Stud | Henry de Bromhead IRE |
| Bellshill (IRE) | 10 | Andrea & Graham Wylie | Willie Mullins IRE |
| Bristol de Mai (FR) | 9 | Simon Munir & Isaac Souede | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| Cepage (FR) | 8 | The Bellamy Partnership | Venetia Williams |
| Chris’s Dream (IRE) | 8 | Robcour | Henry de Bromhead IRE |
| Clan des Obeaux (FR) | 8 | Mr & Mrs P Barber, G Mason, Sir A Ferguson | Paul Nicholls |
| De Rasher Counter | 8 | Makin’ Bacon Partnership | Emma Lavelle |
| Death Duty (IRE) | 9 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Delta Work (FR) | 7 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Discorama (FR) | 7 | Andrew Gemmell/Thomas Friel | Paul Nolan IRE |
| Elegant Escape (IRE) | 8 | J P Romans | Colin Tizzard |
| Frodon (FR) | 8 | Paul Vogt | Paul Nicholls |
| Jett (IRE) | 9 | G M McGrath | Jessica Harrington IRE |
| Kauto Riko (FR) | 9 | Mr and Mrs J Dale and Partners | Tom Gretton |
| Kemboy (FR) | 8 | Kemboy/Brett Graham/Ken Sharp Syndicate | Willie Mullins IRE |
| La Bague Au Roi (FR) | 9 | Mrs Julien Turner & Andrew Merriam | Warren Greatrex |
| Lostintranslation (IRE) | 8 | Taylor & O’Dwyer | Colin Tizzard |
| Mister Whitaker (IRE) | 8 | Tim Radford | Mick Channon |
| Monalee (IRE) | 9 | Barry Maloney | Henry de Bromhead IRE |
| Native River (IRE) | 10 | Brocade Racing | Colin Tizzard |
| Presenting Percy | 9 | Philip Reynolds | Patrick Kelly IRE |
| Real Steel (FR) | 7 | Sullivan Bloodstock Limited | Willie Mullins IRE |
| Road To Respect (IRE) | 9 | Gigginstown House Stud | Noel Meade IRE |
| Saint Calvados (FR) | 7 | Kate & Andrew Brooks | Harry Whittington |
| Santini | 8 | Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes | Nicky Henderson |
| Shattered Love (IRE) | 9 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Sizing John | 10 | Ann & Alan Potts Limited | Jessica Harrington IRE |
| The Conditional (IRE) | 8 | P J Cave | David Bridgwater |
| Top Ville Ben (IRE) | 8 | Harbour Rose Partnership | Philip Kirby |
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