Clan Des Obeaux – Hawkinsport

Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup: Runner by Runner Preview

1. Al Boum Photo

Trainer: W P Mullins

Jockey: B J Cooper

Form: 1/132 – 16

10yo BG

Wgt: 11st 10lb p

OR: 165

DUAL Gold Cup champion Al Boum Photo began his usual path to Cheltenham by winning his fourth Savills Chase at Tramore in January. He still showed a great turn of foot for a stayer. He finished a respectable sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month, but was near the back of a chasing group of horses who were in the picture before A Plus Tard showed devastating speed in the closing stages. Al Boum Photo has twice finished runner-up in this race, finishing just over a length behind Clan Des Obeaux in last year’s renewal and 17 lengths ahead of Joseph O’Brien’s Fakir D’oudairies. Both run again here and Willie Mullins’ charge will wear cheekpieces again after their first use last time out at Cheltenham.

2. Allaho

Trainer: W P Mullins

Jockey: P Townend

Form: 112-111

8yo BG

Wgt: 11st 10lb t

OR: 176

THE reigning Ryanair Chase champion is stepping up to three miles for the first time since finishing a distant fourth in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown in 2020. Kemboy, who also runs here, finished a close second to A Plus Tard on that occasion. Since then Allaho has five wins in six starts, all over a distance of two and a half miles and he has course form having won the grade one John Durkan in December last year. Mullins has opted for the three mile race at Punchestown as there isn’t the option of a race over two and a half miles and he thinks the stamina test will suit his powerful front runner.

3. Clan Des Obeaux

Trainer: P F Nicholls

Jockey: H Cobden

Form: 211-231

10yo BG

Wgt: 11st 10lb b

OR: 172

PAUL Nicholls’ multiple grade one winner has followed a similar pattern in form to last season. He ran bravely at Kempton, finishing third in the King George VI Chase in testing conditions and finished third at Newbury, before landing his second Betway Bowl success at Aintree earlier this month. Much like last season, the success came after the application of new headgear and he will wear blinkers again this time around. Last year’s renewal means Nicholls’ runner has form ahead of the likes of Al Boum Photo, Fakir D’oudairies and Kemboy who all go again here.

4. Fakir D’oudairies

Trainer: J P O’Brien

Jockey: M P Walsh

Form: 3-14211

7yo BG

Wgt: 11st 10lb

OR: 165

LAST year’s third in this race, Fakir D’oudairies showed impressive stamina and turn of foot when winning the Melling Chase at Aintree earlier this month. He has never beaten Allaho in the three starts he has met the Ryanair champion, so the decision was made to avoid Cheltenham and it paid off. The performance was an impressive one, finishing five-and-a-half lengths ahead of Hitman, a horse who consistently places in graded company. He can win on soft going as he showed when beating Two For Gold in the Ascot Chase, where conditions arguably favoured his rival. In a field deep in quality however, it may help his chances if the rain stays away here. At only seven years old O’Brien’s grade one winner is improving.

5. Galvin

Trainer: G Elliott

Jockey: D N Russell

Form: 11-1214

8yo BG

Wgt: 11st 10lb

OR: 167

CHELTENHAM Gold Cup fourth Galvin is a class staying chaser whose season started with a win at Punchestown. He was then defeated by multiple grade one winner Frodon before beating A Plus Tard by a short head in the grade one Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December. A Plus Tard went on to win the Gold Cup, reversing form over Gordon Elliot’s horse but the race wasn’t ran at a great pace. This horse thrives on a true test of stamina, with a win over three miles six furlongs at last year’s Cheltenham Festival great proof of that. If Allaho leads and forces the field to go at an honest pace it will help Galvin’s cause.

6. Janidil

Trainer: W P Mullins

Jockey: J S McGarvey

Form: 2-2532F

8yo BG

Wgt: 11st 10lb

OR: 164

RUNNER-UP to Allaho at Cheltenham where he finished 14 lengths behind the impressive winner in the Ryanair Chase. Janidil’s last run was just nine days ago in the grade two Devenish Chase at Fairyhouse, where he suffered a heavy fall halfway through the race. He steps back up to three miles here for the first time since finishing third to Conflated in the Irish Gold Cup in February where he finished in third, a neck behind Minella Indo in second and over five lengths ahead of Kemboy in fifth. He often places in top class races but his last win came in April last year in the Gold Cup Novices’ Chase at Fairyhouse.

7. Kemboy

Trainer: W P Mullins

Jockey: S F O’Keeffe

Form: 94-8353

10yo BG

Wgt: 11-10 p¹

OR: 165

AT his best Kemboy is an Irish Gold Cup winner, but he hasn’t won since that result last season. His best effort this season was a respectable third just 3/4 of a length behind Galvin and A Plus Tard in the grade one Savills Chase in December. He was last seen finishing third in the Betway Bowl earlier this month, where he finished nine lengths behind the eventual winner Clan Des Obeaux. He matched the winner until Paul Nicholls’ runner started pulling away halfway down the straight. He will wear cheekpieces for the first time.

8. Minella Indo

Trainer: H De Bromhead

Jockey: R M Power

Form: 41-3P22

9yo BG

Wgt: 11st 10lb t¹

OR: 170

THE 2021 Gold Cup winner started the season slowly but finished the runner-up in both the Irish Gold Cup and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He took strong hold of the race at Cheltenham going into the straight but stablemate A Plus Tard quickened away impressively. Minella Indo’s jockey, Robbie Power, has said that A Plus Tard was unbeatable, especially once he drew level in the closing stages due to his finishing speed. If he can reproduce that form, Henry De Bromhead’s runner should be in the picture here. He will wear a tongue-tie for the first time.

9. Tornado Flyer

Trainer: W P Mullins

Jockey: D E Mullins

Form: 543-51P

9yo BG

Wgt: 11st 10lb

OR: 165

THIS horse has form ahead of Clan Des Obeaux and Minella Indo after winning the King George VI Chase in December at odds of 28/1. The win came in a race where conditions were extreme on stamina-sapping ground. He was pulled up in his following run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month, and multiple runners here have recorded form finishing ahead of this horse. He is unlikely to get a repeat of such tough conditions here.

My Verdict

1^st Clan Des Obeaux

2^nd Fakir D’oudairies

3^rd Allaho

CLAN DES OBEAUX comes into this race as the defending champion with form ahead of many of his most challenging rivals and is hitting all the same trends that led to last year’s success. Paul Nicholls’ runner has yet again flourished late in the season and new headgear could offer some improvement necessary to take on an improved field compared to what he faced last season. FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES has showed great improvement in the second half of the season and his strong finish at Aintree might suggest he will get the three-mile-trip much better this time around. ALLAHO although is a top class horse has achieved his best results exclusively at two-and-a-half miles. His improvement has been staggering, but it might be that he leads for the race, setting an honest gallop, before being picked off by the strong, more established three-milers in the closing stages. His victories have come by running a post-to-post gallop and an extra half a mile is a lot.

My Picks

COMBINATION TRICAST

WIN – Clan Des Obeaux

EACH WAY – Fakir D’0udairies

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase: Runner by runner guide

Asterion Forlonge

Jockey: B J Cooper

Trainer: W P Mullins

Form: F4331-U

Wgt: 11-10lb t

7yoG Gelding

OR: 152

There are no reports that suggest Willie Mullins’ runner is worse for wear after unseating his jockey, Brian Cooper, in the John Durkan Memorial Chase earlier this month. His travelling ability saw him in the picture against eventual winner Allaho at Punchestown, before he got too low and blundered three fences from home. This is a mistake he has made a few times before, with two falls early last season after similar errors. When he finishes, he normally makes the places against top opposition. He finished 3^rd to Chantry House, who runs here, in the grade one Marsh Novice’s Chase at Cheltenham in March. He also finished a respectable 3^rd to Janidil at Fairyhouse in a grade one over 2^1/2 miles before claiming victory at Punchestown over the same distance that month. His trainer, Willie Mullins, also thinks this horse runs better right handed which shows in his previous three runs but he is stepping up to three miles or the first time.

2. Chantry House

Jockey: Nico De Boineville

Trainer: N J Henderson

Form: 13111-1

Wgt: 11-10lb

7yoBR Gelding

OR: 162

Last season’s grade one Marsh Novice’s Chase winner. Made his seasonal reappearance with a 37 length victory over The Big Breakaway at Sandown early last month. He also ended last season on a high at Aintree when winning the Grade one Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase by 32 lengths when closest challenger, Espoir De Romay fell two fences from home. Both these efforts came over the 3 mile distance and the win at Aintree provided a good stamina test, with the previously mentioned Espoir De Romay setting a good pace throughout. Chantry House is five wins from six runs over fences and his trainer Nicky Henderson is happy with his preparation, saying he is sharp. He also said that despite the previous couple of runs they haven’t “taught” him to go 3 miles, but speed won’t be a problem in the King George VI. This is his first time mixing it with some of the more established names in the staying division, having been a novice last season.

3. Clan Des Obeaux

Jockey: Harry Cobden

Trainer: P F Nicholls

Form: 8/23211-

Wgt: 11-10lb p

9yoB Gelding

OR: 172

Two time former winner of the race in 2018 and 2019. Paul Nicholls’ runner underwent a wind op last season and didn’t finish outside the top three in five graded runs. He won the Betway Bowl by 26 lengths at Aintree and the Punchestown Gold Cup, ahead of two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo. These two big wins came near the back end of last season after the application of cheekpieces, which appeared to benefit him greatly and he will wear them again at Kempton. The King George VI will be Clan Des Obeaux’s seasonal debut and Nicholls has stated that this horse and Frodon are “the two to beat”.

4. Frodon

Jockey: Bryony Frost

Trainer: P F Nicholls

Form: 14151-1

Wgt: 11-10lb t

9yoB Gelding

OR: 167

Winner of last year’s renewal and Cheltenham Gold Cup 5^th. This horse proved a massive problem for the field Boxing Day last year. He made all, but on the 2^nd lap had a tendency to jump slightly left. It didn’t hinder his chances because he corrected immediately after every obstacle. This also caused the horses in behind to follow suit, causing them to lose valuable ground and stamina with every jump. Clan Des Obeaux finished just over 8 lengths back in 3^rd, having been off the bridle before the final bend, Saint Calvados was just behind him in 4^th and Lostintranslation was pulled up. They all run again this year. Frodon’s seasonal debut saw him beat reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Minella Indo by 5 lengths, when winning the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal. Frodon’s Jockey, Bryony Frost, has also recorded a big grade one victory in the Tingle Creek at Sandown earlier this month.

5. Lostintranslation

Jockey: Brendan Powell

Trainer: C L Tizzard

Form: 3/3P5P-1

Wgt: 11-10lb t

9yoB Gelding

OR: 160

Earned his first win since 2019 in the grade two Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase over 2 miles 5 furlongs last month. He had a 2^nd wind op prior to the run and ground conditions suited. He beat Dashel Drasher by 16 lengths who, although may have preferred softer going, had never lost at Ascot. In the last two renewals of this race however, Lostintranslation has been pulled up. in a Racing Post article after his seasonal reappearance, Joe Tizzard remained confident that the King George VI was the most suitable race for Lostintranslation and that he seemed reinvigorated by the recent operation. The yard are also much happier with his training performances after he was difficult to get a tune out of last season.

6. Minella Indo

Jockey: Rachael Blackmore

Trainer: H de Bromhead

Form: 11F41-3

Wgt: 11-10 p¹

8yoB Gelding

OR: 175

The reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup champion. Henry de Bromhead’s charge was beaten by 5 lengths after a brave front-running effort by Frodon in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal in late October. Bryony measured the fractions well and had this horse struggling after the 2^nd last fence. This run was respectable and could make for great preparation, with de Bromhead confident he will be better after the run. This run also reversed the Gold Cup form, as Frodon finished 30 lengths behind this horse in 5^th. His jockey, Rachael Blackmore, won BBC’s World Sport Star award last week and will be looking to add to her incredible achievements in the Aintree Grand National and at Cheltenham earlier this year. Minella Indo is bidding to become the first Irish-trained winner of the race since Kicking King in 2005, who also did it after winning the Gold Cup earlier that year. Wears cheekpieces for the first time here.

7. Mister Fisher

Jockey: Sean Bowen

Trainer: N J Henderson

Form: 4/P1PU2

Wgt: 11-10lb

7yoB Gelding

OR: 162

Last seen in the grade two Oaksey Chase, losing by a neck to a very game Frodon. This horse appeared to be getting the better of the reigning King George VI champion Frodon, who fought back winning by a neck after a stiff uphill finish. This horse’s highest achievement so far over fences came at Cheltenhem when winning a grade two chase over 2^1/2 miles. His best run over 3 miles was that previously mentioned effort against Frodon and the plan has always been to run him over 3 miles this season. Would prefer good ground.

8. Saint Calvados

Jockey: Gavin Sheehan

Trainer: P F Nicholls

Form: 1422/4U-

Wgt: 11-10lb t¹

8yoB Gelding

OR: 162

Has moved stables to Ditcheat with Paul Nicholls and has undergone a wind op. Last year finished 4^th, over 8 lengths behind eventual winner Frodon. his best win came in the grade two Betway Kingmaker Novices’ Chase in February 2018. This year the field has strengthened with the addition of the Gold Cup winner. He wears a tongue tie for the first time here and Nicholls has described him as a “lively outsider”. At his best he finished 2^nd by a neck to Min in the 2020 Ryanair over 2^1/2 miles, with A Plus Tard and Frodon both finishing behind him.

9. Tornado Flyer

Jockey: D E Mullins

Trainer: W P Mullins

Form: 22543-5

Wgt: 11-10lb

8yoB Gelding

OR: 161

Last seen finishing 5^th in the grade one John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase earlier this month. Asterion Ferlonge unseated rider three fences out. Hasn’t won a race since 2019 and this is his first time running 3 miles since last year’s renewal of the grade one Savills Chase, where he also finished a distant 5^th. In other contests ran over 2^1/2 miles he has shown late progress in races so a step up to 3 miles is thought to suit him.