No ground concerns for Philip Hobbs as Defi Du Seuil confirmed for Clarence House at Ascot

THERE are no grounds for concern ahead of Defi Du Seuil’s Clarence House bid. Nicky Henderson has taken Altior out of Saturday’s Grade 1 at Ascot in fear of heavy ground, but Philip Hobbs is full steam ahead with his Champion Chase hope. The forecast is for rain, rain and more rain before the weekend […]

THERE are no grounds for concern ahead of Defi Du Seuil’s Clarence House bid.

Nicky Henderson has taken Altior out of Saturday’s Grade 1 at Ascot in fear of heavy ground, but Philip Hobbs is full steam ahead with his Champion Chase hope.

The forecast is for rain, rain and more rain before the weekend and Altior will instead head to Newbury for the Game Spirit.

It leaves Defi Du Seuil to face four rivals at Ascot – led by Un De Sceaux who chases a record fourth win in the race.

Hobbs told Sun Racing: “I thought we’d be up against Altior but there we go.

“Defi Du Seuil has gone on all grounds and he’s not ground dependent at all so we don’t have to worry about that. He’s run very well on all sorts of ground.

“This should be his final run before Cheltenham so hopefully it all goes to plan.

“He’s in very good form at home and should have a big chance.”

Hobbs also had news on exciting novice hurdlers Thyme Hill and Sporting John.

He added: “Thyme Hill definitely won’t run again before Cheltenham. 

“We’re still not sure on his target and it will depend on where the opposition ends up as well as the ground.

“He’ll be entered in both as I’m not worried about the distance for him.”

Sporting John is unbeaten since joining the Hobbs yard and the form of his Exeter wins has been boosted since.

Hobbs said: “We’re not sure where we’re going to go with him yet.

“He still has a bit to learn and we see him as a horse for the better races but he is raw.

“He’s won twice nicely now but we need to get some more experience into him, I’m just not sure where yet.”