What's it like to spend every day with Defi Du Seuil?
Scott Burton speaks to the man who looks after the Champion Chase favourite
Defi Du Seuil may move like a cat in the afternoons, but according to the man who looks after him you might not recognise the same horse first thing at Philip Hobbs's Minehead base.
Ben Robarts has long been the dual Festival winner's main work and schooling rider, and with Izzy Standon now off travelling the world he has had the French-bred to himself this season.
"He's very stiff and an awful mover – very crabby – so in terms of actually getting him warmed up he takes a bit of doing," says Robarts. "But he just loves being a racehorse so is always squealing, bucking and jogging about. He's a very big character in the string and you'd always know he's about."
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
inPreviews
- 7.40 Windsor: track specialist Antiphon bids for fourth course success - analysis and key quotes for feature sprint handicap
- 5.48 Roscommon: 'I couldn't be happier with her' - Goodnightngodbless out to defy 5lb rise in Connacht National
- Cracking the puzzle with Richard Birch's tips for Sunday's Premier fixture at Goodwood
- 3.42 Perth: 'He's in great form and the ground should suit' - key analysis and quotes for the feature chase
- 3.55 Goodwood: can unbeaten Sea Just In Time take next step up the ladder? Analysis and quotes for Listed Keyser Fillies' Stakes
- 7.40 Windsor: track specialist Antiphon bids for fourth course success - analysis and key quotes for feature sprint handicap
- 5.48 Roscommon: 'I couldn't be happier with her' - Goodnightngodbless out to defy 5lb rise in Connacht National
- Cracking the puzzle with Richard Birch's tips for Sunday's Premier fixture at Goodwood
- 3.42 Perth: 'He's in great form and the ground should suit' - key analysis and quotes for the feature chase
- 3.55 Goodwood: can unbeaten Sea Just In Time take next step up the ladder? Analysis and quotes for Listed Keyser Fillies' Stakes