Paul L. Nichols finds it difficult to split the Clan des Obex and the surname before the match again in Ledbrooks King George VI Chase at Kempton on Bingxing Day.
The title was a red-hot favorite for an exciting highlight in the post-defeat season before jumping on the tiltier at Escort last month, but there was a tough race and ultimately no match for the Clan des Obaque, who successfully defended. His King George’s crown.
The title returned to its best with a successful start to the current campaign at Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, however, while Clan des Obeck can be expected to be cherry-ripe after Bristol de Maine finished second in the Batfair Chase at Heddock. .
Nichols said: “I’m very happy with the Clan des Obeck after the headlock. He had a tough race (in the Batfire Chase). It was more of a test ground than we liked, but he was very fit to take part in the race. doing.
“Any horse that wins two King George’s is a very good horse. He hasn’t performed at Cheltenham, so he may be a little underrated, but it would be special if he went and won a third King George. He’s very good around. Kempton and that’s what we’re focusing on.
“I certainly don’t think Sirnam was at his best last year anywhere. If Sirnam turns to his A-game, as he was in Charlie Hall, it would be a very interesting race and Klein had to give the individual a place.
“Sirname is very well prepared, come out of the race (in Wetherby) well and look amazing – I’m very, very happy. We’re in a very different place from where we were last year.
“It’s going to be a lot closer and different than last year, that’s for sure. I think it’s going to be a very interesting race and the job of splitting them up is going to be a hell of a lot.”
Nichols, who has beaten King George a record 11 times, will be able to get as many as four runners this year, with Real Steel and Froden also taking a chance at the Three Mile Grade One.
Friedon was disappointed with his most recent trip to Clouds Chase at Entry, while Real Steel – sixth in last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup for Willie Mullins – finished third in the Grade Two at Ascot in his first start for Nichols.
Nichols added, “He just couldn’t work for Froden in the entry.
“He’s out of the race, it’s a matter of refreshing him. There’s nothing else to run him, so we’ll give him a chance and Mr. Vogue (owner) will choose to have a runner. In King George.
“Real Steel needed a run when his ascot race came up well and he would improve for that.
“I think three miles is probably his trip. You have to say that he plays for spaces on all known forms, but he will give his own account.”
Total coffee specialist. Hardcore reader. Incurable music scholar. Web guru. Freelance troublemaker. Problem solver. Travel trailblazer.
