Paul Nicholls confirms King George plan for Cyrname and Clan Des Obeaux

Harry Cobden says "I will ride the one I think will have the best chance" when it comes to choosing between his two possible mounts in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

Paul Nicholls has confirmed his plans to run both last year's winner Clan Des Obeaux and Cyrname, who ended Altior's 19-race unbeaten sequence at Ascot last weekend.

The trainer, who has won the King George 10 times previously, reported the latter to have come out of that race as expected.

“I am very pleased with Cyrname after Saturday," he said. "He obviously had a tough race. I think both horses (Cyrname and Altior) gave their best, ran very well and to a high level.

"He was a little bit tired on Sunday which you would expect but we cantered yesterday, cantered again today and we will just tick him over this week and then quietly get him ready for the King George.

“If Cyrname hadn’t run in the race on Saturday, Altior would have won by half the track and everyone would have been applauding him and saying what a wonderful performance. It is probably the toughest race Altior has run in for a long time.

“I knew Cyrname was very well. You’re never confident against a horse like Altior because he is a superstar, but I think it was a very good race and both horses ran to a very high level. Cyrname had Altior out of his comfort zone and just out stayed him.

“I’d like to think we would do the same at Kempton. I, personally, would be surprised if you see Altior in the King George. I am not sure what Nicky is thinking - Altior obviously stayed on Saturday but whether he wants to go up another three furlongs and give him another hard race so soon after that, I don’t know. We are not afraid to take him on again. I think we have got a progressive horse, he has won his last three races and he looks very smart.

“Clan Des Obeaux needed his first run last year and, again, we have left plenty to work on. He is in good shape, looks fantastic. He is definitely a better horse this year. I think he has strengthened up, so a few pounds improvement will put him right in the mix.

“Kempton suits him well, they will go a real good gallop, he can get a tow into the race. Hopefully he will be bang there three out and then we can see what happens over the last three fences.”

Harry Cobden will make his choice between the rides nearer the time, but admitted that it won't be an easy decision.

“I certainly wouldn’t get off Cyrname to ride Altior at Kempton now, after Saturday," he said. "All our horses have needed a run this year as well. He was the best horse on the day, Altior might improve, we will have to see at Kempton.

“I wouldn’t want Clan Des Obeaux half a length down on me turning in at Kempton because he wouldn’t stop. He has obviously got a massive chance, he won the race last year. You might question the form a little bit, with Thistlecrack in behind him. All the same he won it very well. He has got a huge chance and I wouldn’t rule him out of it.

“I will ride the one I think will have the best chance. Cyrname had a hard-enough race on Saturday. Clan Des Obeaux will be going there fresh and firing on all cylinders. He won’t be far away.”

Sponsors Ladbrokes make Cyrname their 9-4 favourite for the King George, with Lostintranslation next in the betting at 11-4 and Clan Des Obeaux a 5-1 chance.