Defi Du Seuil and Thyme Hill lead top string as Hobbs seeks festival amends

There's a real sense of unfinished business echoing around Sandhill Stables as Philip Hobbs goes into his 35th year of training.

Hobbs went into the Cheltenham Festival with an enviable squadron but, as all racing's greats experience, suffered a week of misfortune. Sporting John never fired in the Ballymore, Thyme Hill experienced Friday traffic problems more at home on the M25 than the final furlongs of the Albert Bartlett, and Martin Pipe fancy Pileon was denied by the slimmest of margins.

Even more frustrating was the season's star Defi Du Seuil. He looked destined to be crowned two-mile champion with powerhouse rivals Altior and Chacun Pour Soi ruled out at the last minute – but the dual festival winner had a rare off day behind Politologue.