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O'Sullivan memorably defended his world crown in 2013, despite only having played one competitive match prior to the showpiece event after taking an extended break from snooker that season.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have twice lost in the showpiece and never won the cup - and as a result Pep Guardiola's team are very much the bookmakers' favourites.

That 2008 showpiece was also the last time a final did not include one of the aforementioned five Premier League sides, with Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth beating Cardiff.

But he said Galopin Des Champs - affectionately nicknamed "the good one" by stable staff - will rank as the best of them all if he wins the Cheltenham Festival showpiece on Friday.

However, with his contract due to run out after the showpiece in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Clarke was asked if he is sure this will be his final 17 months in charge.