Philip Hobbs camp not keen on Grand National for Balthazar King

Balthazar King is more likely to run in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival than the Crabbie’s Grand National after he made a welcome return to Philip Hobbs’ yard yesterday.

The 11-year-old is back at Hobbs’ stables after a long spell recuperating from an awful injury he sustained at Aintree in this year’s National.

Balthazar King suffered broken ribs after being cannoned into by another horse when falling at the Canal Turn and spent some time at the University of Liverpool’s equine hospital.