Owner Paul Barber says Clan Des Obeaux will not run in the Betfair Denman Chase, with the Cheltenham Gold Cup the target.
Clan Des Obeaux competed in the prestigious race at the Cheltenham Festival in 2019 but could only finish fifth on that occasion.
Connections were disappointed with that display, and they believe his run in the Denman Chase affected his preparations.
The equine flu outbreak saw the race delayed a week and moved from Newbury to Ascot.
Barber, Denman’s former owner, says the Gold Cup is the priority and believes Clan Des Obeaux will perform better for the extra rest.
He told the Racing Post: “He’s in great order and won’t run until the Gold Cup.
“It should be a good Gold Cup, and I wouldn’t mind winning another one. It’s the ultimate prize, so we have to do everything we can to get him there in the best shape possible.
“He’s a great deal stronger. Whether he’ll get the trip on softish ground I don’t know, I think he’ll get it on good ground, and he’s got a fair bit of toe.
“I’m convinced he will be a major contender, but you can’t build yourself up too high because I’ve done it before and I’ve won a couple of Gold Cups, but I’ve lost a few more as well. We’ve been fairly lucky in the race, but you’ve got to be even luckier to win.”
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