Menorah likely to head for Punchestown
The six-year-old returned to Prestbury Park unbeaten in three course starts having won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle a year ago and the Greatwood and International Hurdle earlier this season.
But he proved no match for the smooth-travelling Hurricane Fly, and Hobbs will give his charge a thorough check-up before deciding if he runs again before the end of the campaign.
Speaking yesterday afternoon, Hobbs said: “He seems all right this morning but he just didn’t finish his race and I have a feeling he ran below-par.
“We’ll see how he is and have a look at him. Without looking at the programme book properly, I’d say it’s most likely he’ll go to Punchestown, but we’ll have to see nearer the time.”
* CLERK of the course Simon Claisse predicted last night that the track may ride quicker at Cheltenham this afternoon - then warned that rain forecast for Friday may cause the Gold Cup to be run on soft ground.
Action switches to the New Course today, after racing on the first two days on the Old Course which several jockeys reported to be riding 'dead'.
"You would almost expect that on the second day on slow, good ground," Claisse said. "I think it will be marginally quicker tomorrow on fresh ground.
"The New Course remains good, good to soft in places - there is still a bit of good to soft down the back straight and round the bend. The forecast for tonight is dry and tomorrow is expected to be cloudy and maybe a little warmer than today 10C/11C."
He added: "There are strong signals for some significant rainfall on Friday morning, ground-changing rain, 4mm-5mm. If that comes in the immediate lead-up to racing it will make a big difference and the ground could easily go to good to soft or it could go soft. I wouldn't rule out a soft ground Gold Cup if the forecast is right."
