Clan Des Obeaux could be set mighty challenge as Paul Nicholls readies star team

A plethora of unraced horses and novice chasers has Paul Nicholls particularly relishing his trainers' title defence, yet old favourite Clan Des Obeaux could be set for the mightiest of challenges in trying to emulate Denman's imperious weight-carrying performance in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury.

Nicholls is considering allowing the 172-rated chaser to take his chance in the £250,000 handicap chase in which Denman produced one of the most famous victories in racing history in 2009. He was rated only 2lb higher than Clan Des Obeaux.

Nicholls stressed Newbury on November 26 was an option at this early stage for Clan Des Obeaux with the King George, which he won in 2018 and 2019, the priority.

Yet, he will face stiff opposition from his own stable at Kempton on December 26 with last season's star novice Bravemansgame on course to appear along with Frodon, who will start his campaign in the Champion Chase at Down Royal.

The trainer, speaking at his owners' day, said: "I'd be quite keen to run Clan in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. In hindsight, I think not running before the King George last season was an error. We want to run somewhere.

"I suppose it might be like Denman and What A Friend with Threeunderthrufive going. I'm not saying Clan will definitely run in it, we'll just monitor what other horses are doing. I want a run into him before Kempton, but his main target is Aintree in the spring."

Bravemansgame is no bigger than 6-1 for the King George – a race Nicholls has won 12 times – and the trainer is considering a prep run in either the 1965 Chase at Ascot on November 19 or the intermediate chase at Newton Abbot in October which he won last season.

Nicholls added: "I haven't completely made up my mind as to where he'll go but he'll have one run before the King George. Ascot might be the obvious place but I don't want to rush to ensure we've got a bit more left in the tank after Christmas this season.

"I've always thought Kempton suits him well, he won there last season but it's a hard race to win."

Paul Nicholls: 13-time champion has 'a lot of real nice horses'Credit: Alan Crowhurst

The Tingle Creek is once again the aim for Greaneteen, while Hitman could start his season in the Old Roan at Aintree.

Nicholls considers his novice chase team particularly strong with Gelino Bello, Monmiral, McFabulous, Complete Unknown and Stage Star among the standouts. Top bumper performers Timeforatune and Henri The Second are promising types set to go over hurdles.

The 13-time champion trainer is thrilled with the early indications from his team of 48 horses yet to run for him. Hurricane Danny and Isaac Des Obeaux received particularly high praise.

Nicholls said: "We're really strong with our novice chasers and we've got a nice team across the board. The young horses all look amazing at the moment but you know where they are after a run or two. Potentially, we've got a lot of real nice horses, so it's quite exciting times.

"We had a great campaign last season so we'll keep doing the same thing. If we win the championship it'll be fantastic."

The early signs for Topofthegame are also promising, but he will not run until at least 2023. Since striking at Grade 1 level at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival, he missed two seasons with injury and Nicholls hopes he will stay in good shape with the National a long-term target.

"It's day by day with him. I can't make any predictions, we're going to try and he's had a long, slow preparation," the trainer said. "So far it's been good but who knows. I'd love to run him in a National, I've always wanted to, and Cheltenham would fit nicely with that."

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