Menorah has Champion Hurdle agenda
Menorah emerged victorious from a mighty fight in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the last Festival, a performance which saw him saddled with 11st 12lb here, but he was given quite a scare by the joint bottom-weight Bothy, who only finished a neck behind.
Richard Johnson searched for the quickest ground at the rain-softened venue, tracking wide and looking on the verge of an impressive victory when cruising past Bothy at the second-last, but his rival came back after appearing beaten and very nearly upset the odds.
Hobbs saddled Rooster Booster to win this Grade Three handicap in November of 2001 before the grey went on to Champion honours the following March and the new showpiece sponsors Stan James offer 12-1 (from 16s) about the Diana Whateley-owned gelding.
“It was a very good performance, especially as he had to go so wide as the ground was definitely better wider, and ideally he doesn’t want it too soft,” said Hobbs.
“Normally his jumping is very good but he knocked the third-last out of the ground, but in spite of all that he still won.
“He’s only five and there should be a fair bit of improvement in him, hopefully he can be up there with my two previous winners of this race, Rooster Booster and Detroit City.
“He has won that off 151, so you have got to be looking at the conditions hurdle route really.
“I suppose the old Bula Hurdle back here might be next, but he’d have a large penalty in that. Otherwise he’d go for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. It will be one or the other.”
There were a few disappointments, particularly the Supreme runner-up and totesport Trophy winner Get Me Out Of Here, who travelled as well as Menorah until the third-last flight but folded instantly. Sanctuaire also looked beaten when falling two out.
Meeting sponsors Paddy Power had given Hobbs a £250 each-way charity bet which they settled at 8-1, meaning a £3,000 bonus for Racing Welfare.
