There was an outstanding duel from before the straight as Clan Des Obeaux landed a third Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup for Paul Nicholls, beating 2019 and 2020 Cheltenham king, Al Boum Photo

The dual King George hero and hugely impressive Aintree victor in first-time cheek-pieces last time, Clan Des Obeaux (with the aids retained) added to the gains of Ditcheat’s Neptune Collonges in 2007 and 2008.

Al Boum Photo wasn’t good at the final couple of fences and under Sam Twiston Davies Clan Des Obeaux kept going well enough from the front to triumph by a length and a half.

Fakir D’oudairies was seventeen lengths back in third and it was twenty six lengths to the fourth, the 2019 winner, Kemboy

“I thought he’d come up at the regulation down the back — as the team had sent him here in great form and very fit - but he put down and hit that. However he’s very honest and fair play to the horse,” said Twiston Davies (won at Punchestown previously on Baby Run in 2009).

“It’s tough because Harry Cobden (out injured) would normally be sat here and he’s a good friend. He had me job but still you got to love the lad!

“Even after everything to have a relationship like this with Paul and all the team — it’s just very special and I couldn’t really thank them all enough.

“I feel a bit childish but it is the stuff that dreams are made of. To come over here and to do it like that — being aggressive everywhere, is great.

“I was a little bit wary as I didn’t know the track that well and I was wondering am I pressing a little bit (early) as at home you know where you can get away with it.

“I thought jumping four out I’d been a little bit bold. Thank God he’s tough and the team had him in great nick.”

Harry Derham, assistant trainer, stated: “We’ve tried Cheltenham twice and he just doesn’t act around there. The cheek pieces have worked wonders and a big thanks to Harry Cobden on that as he wanted them on and they obviously worked fantastically at Aintree. I’m gutted for him but delighted for everyone else.

“Sam gave him a fantastic ride. Paul was insistent that he wanted him to go a good gallop the whole way and try and kick off the last bend.

“Paul always said that Punchestown might suit him and it couldn’t have worked out better. I’ve only watched it once but it looked like a proper Gold Cup in that they went a relentless gallop and that’s how you want those Grade One races to be run.

“We said we’d come out here and be brave, ride him really positively and if it worked it works. I’m absolutely delighted.”

5/1 (from 7/1) for the King George with Paddy Power and Betfair, Clan Des Obeaux is of course part-owned by Alex Ferguson.

(AM & EM)