'He's really thrived since his last run and has a proper each-way shout'

This stable tour was originally printed in the Racing Post Weekender on Wednesday, February 19. Buy the Weekender every Wednesday for stable tours from the biggest names right up to Cheltenham.

With Cheltenham less than two weeks away, Philip Hobbs is putting the finishing touches to one of the strongest teams he has sent to the festival for some time.

Defi Du Seuil is the headliner in Wednesday’s Queen Mother Champion Chase, where he comes face-to-face with Altior and Chacun Pour Soi, and the Somerset trainer reports his stable star in good form.

But there are several other strong chances including Sporting John and Thyme Hill, as well as an interesting group of handicappers including the progressive trio of Zoffee, Pileon and Jatiluwih.

“Obviously we haven’t got to Cheltenham yet but the team is shaping up very promisingly and it is good for all of us that we have such a strong team.”

The Hobbs team are enjoying another successful season with 68 winners already in the bag and over £1,000,000 in prize-money. There is a strong chance the Sandhill Racing Stables will set a new record for earnings before stumps are drawn on this campaign.

One blow for the yard is the injury to Richard Johnson, whose stats when riding for Hobbs are nothing short of remarkable. During their time together Johnson has ridden 1238 British winners for Hobbs at a strike rate of 33 per cent and has netted almost £17,000,000 in earnings. Johnson is back in action on Thursday, however, which is a real bonus.

Hobbs is among the most respected of his profession and his runners will not be lacking supporters when the greatest show on turf begins.