Gold Cup fifth Clan Des Obeaux has Aintree option along with Paul Nicholls’ Topofthegame

CLAN DES OBEAUX could tackle the Betway Bowl at Aintree after his fifth in last week’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Paul Nicholls’ King George winner travelled smoothly throughout the race before having to settle for fifth behind impressive winner Al Boum Photo.

Nicholls believes the Bowl could be a good opportunity for him to get back to winning ways as long as connections agree.

He said: “Clan Des Obeaux has come back fine. He just got outstayed from the back of the last.

“He could have done without that rain on the morning of the race as three and a quarter miles on that ground takes some getting, but he still ran a super race.

“He is only seven and will learn from that experience. You can’t say he didn’t handle the track, but I think he is a little bit better on flatter tracks.

“We will let the dust settle, the Bowl at Aintree is a possibility as three-miles-one around Aintree on a flat track would suit him well, but I’ve just got to speak to the owners.”

Aintree could also be on the cards for RSA winner Topofthegame with the Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase an option.

Nicholls said: “He is another who we will give another week and then look to make a plan for.

“He cantered well on Saturday morning and it is possible he could head to Aintree as he has only had three runs this season.

“I need to have a chat with the owners, but he has taken the RSA well.”

Meanwhile Ryanair Chase hero Frodon could have run his last race this season and may be sent on his holidays.

He added: “I will talk to Paul (Vogt) owner, but he has had five hard races this season and he might have just done enough.

“It was one of the most amazing reactions I’ve seen at the Festival when Frodon and Bryony (Frost) came back in. The improvement in that horse has been astonishing.

“It is one that will live long in the memory and it was great seeing them on the front pages of national papers. There are a lot of positives about, so let’s talk about them.”