Clan Des Obeaux sets standard for Cheltenham Gold Cup

It’s hard to recall a more open Cheltenham Gold Cup than the one that will unfold before our eyes at 3.30pm this afternoon. Of the 16 set to go to post in the Magners-sponsored Cheltenham Festival highlight, only four can be dismissed with real confidence – it really is that open.

The obvious starting point is Presenting Percy. A fine winner of the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle at the 2017 Festival, Pat Kelly’s charge was even better in last year’s RSA Chase, cruising to a seven-length victory in the style of a future Gold Cup winner.