Double boost for Hobbs
Hobbs was on the mark in both divisions of the southwestracing.com Novices’ Hurdle with Nawaadi and Lead On, as he prepares Detroit City for his Cheltenham prep race at Sandown this weekend.
Lead On was the shortest price winner of his pair in division two, with the 5-2 shot scooting clear of the 8-11 favourite King’s Revenge after jumping the final flight upsides to collect by a length and a half.
Hobbs said: “He should have won first time out but for falling.
“That didn’t affect his confidence though, and he has gone and jumped well here.
“I guess I will try to find another novice race for him where he will have to carry a penalty and he will go chasing next year.”
Nawaadi got the trainer off to a winning start with victory in the first division, as he followed up last month’s course-and-distance third to get off the mark.
Johnson was travelling powerfully heading to the final flight aboard the 4-1 shot, who pulled away on the run-in for a two-length call.
Hobbs said: “He ran well first time for us here and has gone and won nicely.
“He doesn’t have any fancy entries and we will look for another small race somewhere.”
Hobbs missed out on a treble as his Leading Contender was turned over at odds of 4-9 in the Staple Fitzpaine Novices’ Hurdle.
Having travelled well just off the pace in the extended three-mile test, the six-year-old jumped to the front at the second-last, only to be passed by Itsa Legend on the run to the line.
