CLAN DES OBEAUX is fancied to win back-to-back renewals of the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (5.55).
Paul Nicholls' chaser follows the same path as 12 months ago, arriving in Ireland via a successful trip to the Grand National meeting. In first-time blinkers, the ten-year-old was in command at Aintree's final fence, but he idled on the run-in before holding Conflated by a length.
Nicholls' horses have really found their stride of late, with a Sandown five-timer rounding off the season and a 13th championship for the Ditcheat handler. Back to a rating around his peak, Clan Des Obeaux has every chance of toppling Allaho as the favourite steps up in distance.
