Clan Des Obeaux to miss Aintree Bowl hat-trick bid

The dual King George VI Chase winner had been making good progress from a suspensory injury ahead of a planned return to action at the Grand National meeting, where he was set to defend his Aintree Bowl title.

The 11-year-old, owned by Paul Barber, Ged Mason and Sir Alex Ferguson, was last seen finishing second to Allaho in the Punchestown Gold Cup last April.

Clan Des Obeaux had been making strides in his rehabilitation, but Nicholls has decided he will wait until next term with the five-times Grade One winner instead.

He said: "We have run out of time to get him ready, so we will just have to wait until next season.

"He had a little bit of a suspensory problem and has been doing everything and coming along well.

"He did a strong piece of work last week away and it has just flared up again.

"The warning light is flashing and we've just not had enough time to get him right, so we've had to pull stumps for the season.

"Unfortunately, much as we and everyone has tried to get him ready, we're not going to get there."

King George winner and Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Bravemansgame may head to Aintree, although the 13-times champion trainer admitted there are no guarantees.

He added: "Bravemansgame is not necessarily going. It's still an option, always was.

"All those horses that went to Cheltenham, we are not making any decision until nearer the time.

"We have got plenty of time yet. He is a possible, along with Stage Star and all those. It's not a definite but it's a possible."