Clan Des Obeaux cemented his Cheltenham Gold Cup claims with a facile success in the Betfair Denman Chase at Ascot.
This recognised trial for the blue riband at Prestbury Park next month was swiftly re-scheduled following the abandonment of racing at Newbury last Saturday because of the outbreak of equine influenza. With connections of last season’s Gold Cup hero Native River deciding against running at Ascot, Clan Des Obeaux’s task appeared significantly more straightforward than it would have been at Newbury a week ago – and he was priced up accordingly as the 2-5 favourite for Paul Nicholls.
Nicky Henderson’s grey Terrefort led the four-strong field for much of the three-mile journey under Nico de Boinville, with Clan Des Obeaux always in his wing mirrors in the hands of an ultra-confident Harry Cobden.
Terrefort stuck to his task gamely, but Clan Des Obeaux breezed alongside before taking over the running on the run to the final fence – and a huge leap sealed his victory. The way he extended lengths clear on the run-in was particularly impressive, and Paddy Power reacted by cutting his price for the Gold Cup on 15 March to 6-1 from 8-1.
Earlier, the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree was retired by connections after the 12-year-old pulled up during the 18th race of an injury-curtailed but glorious career, in the Keltbray Swinley Chase.
He led until the 14th under De Boinville, reviving final memories of their greatest triumph together nearly four years ago – but the exertions told as Coneygree was eventually pulled up two from home in the Listed handicap won by Calipto.
Trainer Mark Bradstock’s wife Sara confirmed the horse’s retirement soon afterwards. “Wear and tear and injuries have just got the better of him now, so we’ll call it a day,” she told ITV Racing. “I’m only sad because he [still] loves it. He still thinks he’s a racehorse. I think what happens now is that it would be fine [to run him] on the perfect bit of ground and on the perfect day – but you can’t risk hurting him for that.”
• Greg Wood’s report from Ascot to follow later