Captain Chris and Menorah can deliver for Hobbs
Always held in the highest regard by the Philip Hobbs team, the King’s Theatre gelding had a bout of seconditis — albeit at a good level — when initially sent over fences.
However, a breathing operation saw him come good at Kempton in February and he never looked back, going on to land the Arkle at Cheltenham, seeing his race out particularly strongly, and a Grade One at Punchestown.
Connections are toying with the idea of going for the King George over three miles at Christmas and this is as good a starting point as any. Hobbs should also be on the mark with Menorah, who makes his fencing bow in the Betfred Goals Galore Novices’ Chase.
A Grade One winner as a novice, he signed off the last campaign rated 162 and if he can translate that kind of form to the bigger obstacles, Menorah will be a force to be reckoned with.
Kieren Fallon looks a significant booking by Phil McEntee for Black Baccara in the 32RedPoker.com Handicap at Kempton.
The former champion knows this filly well, having won on her at Folkestone in April, and the four-year-old is appealingly handicapped at the moment, being on the same mark as for that win at the Kent circuit.
