Knight is still bound for Gold
A minor back problem prevented the 2003 Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner from taking his chance in the valuable staying handicap chase at Chepstow two weeks ago.
Earlier in December, One Knight had returned from a year-long lay-off to take the Rehearsal Chase at the same track.
“He had a minor problem with his back before the Welsh National so he didn’t get there and that was the obvious race for him,” trainer Philip Hobbs told At The Races yesterday.
“Hopefully, he’ll be ready for the Pillar Chase at Cheltenham. If not then there’s a conditions chase at Wincanton in February (the Country Gentleman’s Association Chase).”
Hobbs also revealed that 2003 Champion Hurdle hero Rooster Booster would have one more run before attempting to regain his Cheltenham crown.
The 11-year-old may be the elder statesman of the hurdling division.
But he showed he was still a force to be reckoned with when second to Champion Hurdle ante-post favourite Harchibald in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton last month, despite having to make his own running.
Hobbs said: “He’s very well indeed. He’ll either run in the Tote Gold Trophy on the 12th of February at Newbury or at Sandown on the 5th in a condition hurdle which he won two years ago.
“He’ll run in one of those I’d imagine before hopefully having another go at trying to regain his crown.
“If he did run in the Tote Gold Trophy they go quick but he would also have to carry top weight.”
Hobbs is planning to run his Arkle Trophy hope Made In Japan in the totescoop6 Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Saturday.
“He’ll run at Kempton on Saturday although she does want decent ground,” added Hobbs.
“If it goes on raining it’s going to be against him but I think he’s going to run there whatever because he needs more experience before Cheltenham anyway.”
