Talking Horses: Nicholls set for a super Saturday

At his pre-Cheltenham press day on Thursday, Paul Nicholls spoke about the importance of timing, telling reporters that dual King George hero Clan Des Obeaux will be ridden more patiently in next month’s Gold Cup in a bid to improve on last year’s fifth place finish in the Festival’s showpiece event.

England’s champion trainer is a proven expert when it comes to the subject and a staggering strikerate of 36% over the last fortnight suggests he’s hitting top form at just the right time with the Festival just around the corner.