Clan Des Obeaux 'the most likely' Paul Nicholls runner in Scilly Isles

Clan Des Obeaux is set to spearhead Paul Nicholls' challenge on the Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown on Saturday.The champion trainer has put four horses in the Grade One over an extended two and a half miles, but named the five-year-old, part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, as his most likely runner.The prospect of soft ground is swaying Nicholls to running Clan Des Obeaux, who was second to Whisper in the Dipper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on his latest start."I've put four in the Scilly Isles Chase at Sandown with Clan Des Obeaux the most likely runner if the forecast for plenty of rain this week is correct," the Ditcheat handler told www.paulnichollsracing.com.Nicholls, who has also entered Frodon, Politologue and Le Prezien, has not won this race since completing a four-timer in 2009 with Herecomesthetruth.Possible rivals to Clan Des Obeaux include Buveur D'Air and Top Notch, both trained by Nicky Henderson.