Nicholls issues positive Clan Des Obeaux update - and has new targets for Frodon

Dual King George winner Clan Des Obeaux is back in training and could return at Aintree’s Grand National meeting in the spring as his recovery from a suspensory tendon injury which has kept him out of action so far this season continues.

The Paul Nicholls-trained 11-year-old, owned by Paul Barber, Ged Mason and Sir Alex Ferguson, has won five Grade 1s and a tilt at a record third Betway Bowl on April 13 is the long-term aim.

Clan Des Obeaux, whose prize-money earnings exceed £1 million, has finished in the first two in 21 of his 31 starts and was last seen finishing second to Allaho in the Punchestown Gold Cup in April – a race he won the previous year.

Nicholls said: "He’s fine and just started back in work so we’re going to see if we can get him to Aintree. It’s a long way down the line but that’s what we’re aiming for."

The Ditcheat trainer won this season’s King George with Bravemansgame, who is being aimed at the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. Frodon, who finished third in the Kempton showpiece, has an entry for the Gold Cup but a spring plan will be determined after his next start.

Taunton's Portman Cup, a race Nicholls has won with Yala Enki in the past three years, is one of two options for the popular Paul Vogt-owned chaser.

Frodon: has options at Taunton and NewburyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Nicholls said: "Frodon showed all his usual enthusiasm at Kempton and came out of the race well. He’ll either run in the Portman Cup at Taunton [January 21] if we’re happy with him or possibly the Denman Chase at Newbury [February 11]. He has an entry for the Gold Cup but we’ll see what happens on his next start and make a plan from there.”

Hitman bled in the King George and was pulled up before two-out by Sam Twiston-Davies. The three-time Grade 1 runner-up will be freshened up for the spring.

“He made that bad mistake and had a small bleed at Kempton but he’s absolutely fine now and cantering away,” said Nicholls. “There’s no plan for him yet but he’ll be back out in the spring.”

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