Talking Horses: Clan Des Obeaux can get National meeting off to flying start

Last year’s runaway winner of the Betway Bowl can boost Paul Nicholls’ hope of another trainers’ title on Thursday

A strong renewal of the Grade One Betway Bowl is the feature event on the opening afternoon of the Grand National Festival, as two former winners – Clan Des Obeaux and Kemboy – take on the up-and-coming Protektorat, third home in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and Conflated, the surprise winner of the Irish Gold Cup in February.

Eldorado Allen, third in the Ryanair at Cheltenham, is also a serious player as Colin Tizzard looks to add to Cue Card’s win in this race six years ago.