Defi Du Seuil a Tingle Creek doubt with Hobbs still in the dark over Shloer flop

Defi Du Seuil's disappointing display in the Shloer Chase remains a mystery to Philip Hobbs, and the seven-year-old seems set to bypass next Saturday's .

Twice a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, Defi Du Seuil progressed to the top of the two-mile chasing division last season when impressing in the Tingle Creek and Clarence House Chase but has failed to fire on his last two starts.

A series of tests failed to uncover a reason for his lacklustre performance in the Shloer at Cheltenham's November meeting two weeks ago, leaving Hobbs to ponder whether a run in next weekend's Tingle Creek at Sandown is the right move.

"He's had all the tests he could possibly have I think," Hobbs said. "And he seems absolutely fine, but where we are going to go next I don't really know.

"Nothing has come to light at all, which was the same after the Cheltenham Festival as well. In fact, he's been in particularly good form. He's had a proper gallop since and went very well."

The Somerset trainer, on the mark at Newbury in Friday's Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle with Thyme Hill, added: "Defi is still in the Tingle Creek, but it's whether that comes too soon after a flop though. It'll be discussed this weekend."

Put The Kettle On en route to Shloer Chase victoryCredit: Edward Whitaker

Sent off the 6-5 market leader for the Shloer, the 2017 Triumph Hurdle winner, who also captured what was the JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham last year, stumbled at the first fence and weakened two out before being pulled up by Richard Johnson.

He was sent off the 2-5 favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March, but was a well-beaten fourth behind runaway winner Politologue.

If Defi Du Seuil, who runs in the colours of JP McManus, does not run in the Tingle Creek, for which he is a general 10-1 shot, the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January could be an option.

That wasn't him' - team mystified by Defi Du Seuil's Champion Chase flop

Defi Du Seuil (green and gold) is unlikely to contest the Tingle Creek, which he won last yearCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Hobbs added: "I think most horses, having flopped, if they run again fairly soon it usually doesn't work. We'll discuss it, but there's no obvious reason for the flop anyway. The Clarence House at Ascot in January could definitely be an alternative option."

Altior, who struck in the 2018 Tingle Creek, is on course to run at Sandown and heads Betfair's betting at 6-4, from 5-1 chance Politologue, who will be joined by improving stablemate Greaneteen, who can be backed at the same price.

Trainer Paul Nicholls, who has won the Grade 1 a remarkable ten times, could also field Shloer Chase second Duc Des Genievres if conditions at Sandown are testing.

Betfair Tingle Creek

Betfair Sportsbook: 6-4 Altior, 5 Greaneteen, Politologue, 8 Rouge Vif, 10 Defi Du Seuil, 12 Duc Des Genievres, 16 Magic Saint, 20 bar

Read more:

Read the Racing Post's stable tour with Philip Hobbs

Defi Du Seuil defies Un De Sceaux in Tingle Creek thriller

Defi Du Seuil enjoys dream Champion Chase prep in blockbuster Clarence House

Our experts disagree on whether or not Thyme Hill is the Stayers' Hurdle winner

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