Hobbs has festival strength in depth

Philip Hobbs believes Monkerhostin and Made In Japan hold winning chances at next week’s Cheltenham Festival.

Hobbs, who sends Rooster Booster to defend his Smurfit Champion Hurdle crown, also lets recent Kempton winner Monkerhostin tackle Wednesday’s Coral Cup while Made In Japan is on course for the JCB Triumph Hurdle after a convincing win at Sandown.

Hobbs, revealing that Monkerhostin has been raised 3lb for Kempton, said: “He seems in very good form and the Coral Cup is definitely the target.

“He seemed to get the three miles very well at Kempton and also travelled amazingly well in the Tote Gold Trophy which shows you what a versatile horse he is but I do think the distance of the Coral race is ideal.

“He’s a resilient horse and there is a chance he could run on consecutive days with a run in the County Hurdle as well.

“Made In Japan looks a lively outsider for the Triumph as he stays very well and I think he’ll be better on the quicker ground he is likely to get next week.”

Hobbs has made sure Flagship Uberalles is going to post fresh for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, although he admits his veteran will struggle to cope with Moscow Flyer and Azertyuiop.

Hobbs added: “I’m very happy with him but the ground is important and I’d love it if there was a bit of cut.

“I actually feel this horse is as good as he’s ever been which was confirmed by his run in the Tingle Creek.

“He’s had a couple of days out stag hunting, has been freshened up and must have a good each-way chance in the Queen Mother.”

The trainer’s talented novice chaser Supreme Prince will be ridden with restraint in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

Hobbs said: “He’s still very inexperienced over fences and missed an engagement after sustaining a minor setback when he cut himself at Ascot. My one worry about the SunAlliance is the trip, but his pedigree suggests he’ll get three miles.”

Farmer Jack made a couple of mistakes and jumped right-handed when disappointing in the Vodafone Gold Cup at Newbury last week but Hobbs said the eight-year-old is still on course for a tilt at the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup.