Captain Chris poser for Hobbs

HOW Captain Chris performs in his next race will determine whether he lines up in the Ryanair Chase or the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March.

Philip Hobbs’ charge won the Arkle last season but has endured an interrupted campaign this term, unseating Richard Johnson in the Haldon Gold Cup on his reappearance and missing the Peterborough Chase due to an unsatisfactory scope.

He finished third in the King George on Stephen’s Day, his first run over three miles, yet that performance still left Hobbs scratching his head.