Hobbs aware of task facing Flagship Uberalles
The nine-year-old faces a stern examination with the likes of Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop, Cenkos and Le Roi Miguel all expected to be in opposition.
“It’s a massively competitive race this year and it won’t be easy,” the Minehead trainer said.
“He’s in there with a chance but to be honest the form of Azertyuiop and Moscow Flyer from last year would be better than his. The other slight worry with him is that the ground could well be on the quicker side come Saturday. It won’t preventing him from running but he doesn’t produce his best form when it is fast.”
Meanewhile, Royal Rosa, winner of a Grade One bumper at Punchestown, looks set to have his first run for his new connections at Sedgefield on Tuesday.
The four-year-old was purchased for a record 340,000 guineas at the Doncaster Sales by big-spender Graham Wylie and is now in training with Howard Johnson.
“I’d say if the ground is on the soft side I’ll run him at Sedgefield,” the County-Durham based handler said yesterday.
The Garde Royale gelding won three of his four starts when trained by Nicky Henderson and will be making his debut over timber in the Wares Teeside Ltd Novices’ Hurdle.
