Confident Cobden: why I had to pick Cyrname over Clan in King George

Harry Cobden on Saturday spoke confidently about his chances of winning Thursday’s Ladbrokes King George VI Chase after making the tricky decision to ride Cyrname, the highest-rated chaser in Britain, over stablemate Clan Des Obeaux.

Cobden had been facing a big-race dilemma since Cyrname conquered Altior in the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot last month, setting up a clash with the horse he rode to win Kempton’s Boxing Day highlight 12 months ago.

Cobden, whose decision has allowed Sam Twiston-Davies the opportunity to partner Clan Des Obeaux, admitted making the call was far from easy.

Speaking at Ascot on Saturday, he said: “It wasn’t a straightforward decision. Clan Des Obeaux won the race last year and he has a massive chance again but Cyrname is the highest-rated horse in the country.

“The way I looked at it, I would be more annoyed if I rode Clan and Cyrname won than I would be if I rode Cyrname and Clan won. That was how I worked it out.

“I have to be confident; I’m on a 7-4 shot in the King George. I’m also sure he will be as good over three miles at Kempton as he has been in his races at Ascot.

“He won last time on testing ground and beat Altior. We got racing at the start of the home straight then and after that it was a solid two and a half furlongs uphill. Kempton is a flat track and three miles there is like two and a half miles at Ascot.”

There are more dangers than just Clan Des Obeaux for Cobden and Cyrname to negotiate at Kempton, with Betfair Chase hero Lostintranslation vying for favouritism at around 7-4.

“Lostintranslation is obviously very good; his form has worked out brilliantly and his run in the Betfair Chase was impressive,” Cobden added.

“I also thought Thistlecrack’s run the other day was lovely, so if he comes back, who knows? With Clan Des Obeaux and Footpad in there as well it’s one hell of a race.

“It would be lovely if we could win but if we can’t it’s not the end of the world.”

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase racecard

Cyrname is the general 13-8 favourite for the King George, with Clan Des Obeaux, who will be ridden by Twiston-Davies for the first time since April 2017, a top-priced 4-1.

Twiston-Davies began studying replays of Clan Des Obeaux the moment he learned he would partner the seven-year-old in the King George.

It will be only the second ride he has had for champion trainer Nicholls this season – he finished eighth on Highland Hunter at Haydock last month – but their strong association has resulted in 277 winners and accrued more than £5.5 million in prize-money in recent years.

“I’m very spoilt. It’s a tremendous ride to pick up on a very good horse,” said Twiston-Davies. “I’ve watched his videos already as you always want to be as well prepared as you can.

“It’s exciting. I schooled him on Thursday and he’s in great nick. Paul and the team are extremely happy with his preparation.

“It was an incredibly tough decision for Harry but I’m lucky to have jumped into the other slot. I didn’t think I was going to be at Kempton, so to be asked to ride last year’s winner is tremendous.”

Harry Cobden won last year's King George on Clan Des Obeaux (above)Credit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Clan Des Obeaux beat Thistlecrack by a length and a half at Kempton last season and finished second on his seasonal reappearance in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal last month.

Nicholls, who is hoping either Cyrname or Clan Des Obeaux can give him an 11th win in the King George, said of Cobden’s decision on his Betfair blog on Saturday: “I simply advised Harry to put all emotion aside and go for the horse he felt had the best chance, and I can’t say I was too surprised when he told me of his decision after both horses worked this morning.

“Obviously, he wanted to check that they were both in good order before picking Cyrname and I’ve now informed the owners involved who are all big supporters of the yard and are looking forward to a great day at Kempton.

“We were both delighted by the way Cyrname won at Ascot last month and he is the highest-rated chaser in training on a handicap mark of 177 after his defeat of Altior.

“That is 8lb higher than Clan Des Obeaux, who has come on a bundle for his seasonal debut when he finished runner-up to Road To Respect in a Grade 1 at Down Royal.”

Paul Nicholls-trained King George winners

See More Business (1997, 1999)
Kauto Star (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
Silviniaco Conti (2013, 2014)
Clan Des Obeaux (2018)

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