Philip Hobbs Stable Tour
01 Mar 2008
Having trained nine festival winners so far Phillip Hobbs once again has a strong team for the four days and here her gives a typically frank assessment of their chances.
Please note: figures in brackets indicate horse's official ratings. A figure of (120>134) would indicate a horse has improved 14lb during the course of the season.
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TUESDAY
2.00 Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices Hurdle (2m ½f)
“SNAP TIE (140) has run three times won once and been placed second twice, the latest when he was second to Calgary Bay at Cheltenham and I think he is definitely one of our better chances providing it’s good ground — soft isn’t much good to him. Another point of interest. He’s either made the running or been up with the pace in his races and that hasn’t suited him at all. A strong pace and being given a chance will see him run a very good race.”
2.35 Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Cup Trophy Chase (2m)
“RING THE BOSS has had just the one run over fences but it was very good, beaten a neck by Kruguyrova. We take the view that if he can win a big race, fine, if not he’ll stay a novice for next season. It would help him if it was soft because his stamina would kick in.”
4.00 William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase (3m ½f)
“MONKERHOSTIN (160>155) seems to hit flat spots in races and he hasn’t run since he was second to Over The Creek at Cheltenham in December because he’s had a breathing operation. I’m hoping that will help — he did have one before we had him but they do wear off. He never works any differently at home.”
5.20 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (2m ½f)
“HIBIKI (122>126) needed to have the run at Ludlow on February 28 because he is a stuffy horse and the 4lb penalty puts him on 10st 8lb and means he will get a run, although any extra weight isn’t ideal. He’ll be a much better horse on better ground, which he hasn’t had yet and Ludlow will have sharpened up his jumping. I’ll also run HOT DIAMOND (121) if he gets in. He was only beaten a short head by Song Of Songs at Wincanton last time when he jumped much better on good ground as opposed the first two runs when he made mistakes.”
WEDNESDAY
3.15 Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase (2m)
“FAIR ALONG (154>152) will probably run. He’s difficult to place because he doesn’t want to be running in handicaps with top weight but realistically he’d be going for a place. His main aim is the Chester Cup.”
4.00 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (2m 5f)
“I think I’ve got five with chances and I don’t care which one wins. MISSIS POTTS (125>132) was staying on really well when she was sixth in the Totesport at Newbury over two miles. COUNTY ZEN (130>134) was third and might have won in another furlong but is more likely to run in the County Hurdle if it looks like being soft. CHIARO (135>130) ran much better last time and we’ve been struggling with minor problems all season so I think he’ll improve again. PYLEIGH LADY (116>129) is probably not now well handicapped but would run. LIBERATE (149>140) hasn’t run since December but is well and will take his chance.”
5.20 Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2m ½f)
“KEKI BUKI is flying. He had a minor injury after winning what looked a good bumper at Uttoxeter in November when he beat Calgary Bay. He also wants good ground. I’ll also run COCKNEY TRUCKER who won first time at Sandown on February 22 but I think Keki Buku is best of the two.”
THURSDAY
2.00 Jewson Novices Handicap Chase (2m 5f)
“GOLD MEDALIST (132) was second in his first two chases and there were two reasons he ran at Exeter when he won last time and appeared to idle a bit in front. First he needs a third run for a mark, and second he is a stuffy horse. Wouldn’t want extremes of ground.”
4.40 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (3m ½f)
“PARSON’S LEGACY (142>140) will be running in this for the third time and it’s a big help that we’ve got a top class amateur to ride him in Josh Guerriero. He would not want it too soft.”
5.20 Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle (3m)
“CRYPTIC (116>135) could well run here although he has the three mile novice option on Friday and I’ll delay until nearer the time. The only thing is that he might be a horse that needs soft ground.”
FRIDAY
3.15 Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (3m 2½f)
“MONKERHOSTIN (160>155) would only run if some of the big guns didn’t. He could run Tuesday and Friday.”
4.35 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase (2m ½f)
“LORD HENRY (135>147) won very well last time and would be the most likely of mine to run. But to put his last win at Ascot in perspective, he was left alone in front and the rest of the field were out of form — and he’s gone up 12 pounds! You need a well-handicapped young horse for this and he’s not that.”
5.45 Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle (2m ½f)
“COUNTY ZEN (130>134) and MISSIS POTTS (125>132) would only run if it were soft.- attheraces.com
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