Hobbs fearful of soft Gold Cup ground for Monkerhostin

PHILIP HOBBS has issued a soft ground warning about his totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Monkerhostin, who is disputing favouritism with Beef Or Salmon at 5-1 with the sponsors.

The nine-year-old emerged as an unlikely market leader for the blue riband when failing by just a neck to catch Kicking King in the Stan James King George VI Chase on St Stephen’s Day. He will be accompanied to post by stablemate One Knight.

However, Hobbs is fearful of testing conditions for Monkerhostin and at his press day this morning, said: “On good ground I would fancy Monkerhostin better than One Knight, but if the ground came up soft it would be a major disaster and Monkerhostin would have no chance.”