'He was a certainty' - Clan scores again for delighted Sir Alex Ferguson

Thursday: Betway Bowl, Aintree

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed racing as more a part of his life than football now after Clan Des Obeaux gave the former Manchester United manager another memorable day on Merseyside with a second victory in the Betway Bowl.

Ferguson did not match his Grade 1 treble on the card from last year, but in Clan Des Obeaux he has a captain he can rely on to produce the goods time and time again.

Two King Georges, two Aintree Bowls and eyes on a second Punchestown Gold Cup, it is no wonder Ferguson, who owns Clan Des Obeaux in partnership with the Barber family and Ged Mason, described the ten-year-old as his best horse after his length victory over Conflated.

Betway Bowl Chase: full result and replay

"As soon as he took the lead I thought he was a certainty and he's just hung on," said Ferguson. "He's been the most successful we've had. Last year we had the three Grade 1s here, which I don't think has been done before. I never won three in a row at Anfield, that's for sure.

"Racing is more a part of my life than football now. I've got a few horses along with Ged and John Hales and we've had great enjoyment."

Ferguson is well versed in making key decisions to improve performances and he praised trainer Paul Nicholls for switching around the headgear on Clan Des Obeaux, with first-time blinkers replacing cheekpieces.

"The blinkers were a big help and that's what good trainers do, they try things and it worked," Ferguson said. "It was great for Paul to produce that level of fitness and preparation."

Ferguson also part-owns Cheltenham Gold Cup third Protektorat, who was sent off the 5-2 favourite but could manage only fourth.

"We were confident of Clan Des Obeaux doing well but it was a big field and we thought Protektorat was probably the best chance, but maybe the Gold Cup has just taken a bit out of him," he added.

"Protektorat has great potential and is Dan's [Skelton] best horse. I think after his performance in the Gold Cup at seven years of age, he has a good chance of giving it a right go next year, even though the winner [A Plus Tard] was unbelievable."

Clan Des Obeaux: back to his best at Aintree for another win in the Betway BowlCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Clan Des Obeaux was having just his third start of the season, having finished a respectable second in the King George and only third in the Denman Chase at Newbury.

In a stronger running of the race than last year he was sent off at 13-2 under Harry Cobden, but again produced his best on a flat track.

"I'm really thrilled. We gambled a bit on the blinkers to do something different with him and that was just the job," Nicholls said. "He just looked good today and comes right at this time of year and we targeted this race.

"Like last year, he got beat at Newbury but it didn't matter as we wanted to have him right for today. He loves it round here and the race was run to suit him. It was a stronger race than last year and it was probably one of his best runs. When he's good, he's good.

"He'll go to Punchestown now and we'll leave the blinkers on. He's had some hard battles over the years and you just wonder whether they're going to show that again, but the blinkers have just brought that bit out."

Not only was the victory in the £250,000 contest a boost to Nicholls' quest for a 13th trainers' title it also brought to an end a frustratingly quiet period at Ditcheat.

"Some haven't run as well as I'd have liked and I've been pulling my hair out since Christmas. To get him back looking like that was a fantastic team effort and I'm thrilled," Nicholls added.

"That's a big boost for us. Winners like that are a help and we've got plenty more to run this week, and there's still plenty of racing left with two weeks to go until Sandown."

Clan Des Obeaux overcame a mistake at the third-last to hold a six-length lead at the final fence and although Conflated stayed on to reduce the deficit, the winner was always holding on.

Conflated's trainer Gordon Elliott said: "There were no excuses. He ran his race. He has to go left-handed so I'd say that would be him for this season. He'll come back for all these types of races next season."

Kemboy, winner of the race in 2019, led until three out before being passed to come home in third.

His trainer Willie Mullins said: "I was happy enough. He jumped a little bit right, Paul [Townend] thought the rain was getting into the ground, which didn't help, but otherwise he ran a great race. We'll see where we go from here, either Punchestown or Sandown."

Read more Aintree reports:

'Not how I like to play sport' – drama as Knight Salute wins in stewards' room

'I was there way too soon and he idled' – how the stewards' inquiry played out

Coleman lavishes praise on 'queen' Epatante after smooth Aintree Hurdle win

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