Hobbs hoping Defi Du Seuil shines in Dipper - rather than the sun

Betbright Dipper Novices’ Chase | 2m4½f (New) | Grade 2 | ITV/RTV

It might not please the racegoers if the clouds are blocking out the sun at Cheltenham but one person who will not mind is Philip Hobbs.

The trainer thinks the low sun might have been to blame for Defi Du Seuil’s erratic round of jumping on his chasing debut at the course in November.

The 2017 Triumph Hurdle winner has made amends since, winning a strong novice chase at Exeter, where his jumping was sound, and he faces another stern test in a race which has been a rich source of Cheltenham Festival winners in recent years.

Black Op, third at Exeter, and chasing debutant On The Blind Side, both hot properties over hurdles, are among four high-class rivals.

Hobbs was busy checking the weather forecast, which he learnt was for sunny intervals, as he considered the challenge faced by rider Barry Geraghty and Defi Du Seuil, a top-priced 20-1 for the Racing Post Arkle and 14-1 for JLT Novices’ Chase.

He said: “At Cheltenham the first time it was either the low sun that affected him or he was just novicey. He jumped very high into the fences going into the sun.

“But he jumped better at Exeter and has been back there since to school around. So we hope we have the novicey attitude sorted out. The difference is that this time he has to give 3lb to Black Op.”

Black Op finished four-and-a-quarter lengths behind Defi Du Seuil at Exeter, the pair separated by the smart Topofthegame, a performance that pleased trainer Tom George.

He said: “We’re delighted with him. He’s come on a lot since Exeter and we’ve done plenty of schooling with him since. It was a good run at Exeter. The pace was steady and they quickened. I think we can be more positive with him this time.”

Black Op (blue) pips Lostintranslation over hurdles at Aintree and both are big dangers to Defi Du SeuilCredit: Mark Cranham

Black Op is around the 14-1 mark for both the JLT and RSA Chase, and George said: “This will help tell us where we start going with him in the future, whether we step up in distance or not. But it’s good to be going to Cheltenham where they’ve got nice ground.”

Conditions perfect for Blind Side's chasing debut

On The Blind Side has had wind surgery since his last run nine months ago, when favourite for the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree but soundly beaten by Black Op.

He had been unbeaten over hurdles before that, a fact that informs his odds of around 20-1 for the Cheltenham Festival’s three main novice chases, although he has yet to jump a fence in public.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: “He's got to start somewhere and this is it. He was very good over hurdles and is just coming to himself now. He's schooled well. He's just taken a bit of time to come to hand, but there's been nothing wrong. Some horses just take a bit of time.

On The Blind Side: was very good over hurdles and has schooled well over fences, says Nicky HendersonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

“I don't like throwing them into races like this first time, and it's a good race. But he's got to get started and this is somewhere nice. Haydock in heavy? No thanks. Lingfield in heavy? No thanks. The distance is right and the ground will be right."

Tizzard team hopeful of better

Lostintranslation has been beaten on both chase starts but on each occasion by La Bague Au Roi, who won the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase on Boxing Day.

Joe Tizzard, assistant trainer to father Colin, said: “His form behind La Bague Au Roi looks strong considering what she's done since. I’m not saying he would have won at Newbury last time, but without that novicey mistake he would have been a lot closer.

“He’s schooled well since and this race has been the plan. It looks wide open.”

Tizzard’s assessment of the race is reflected in the betting, and although Crucial Role is the likely outsider, he is not without a chance, having jumped superbly when winning a beginners’ chase at Uttoxeter for trainer Dan Skelton.

Winning is not everything though: four horses beaten in the Dipper in the last decade won at the Cheltenham Festival two months later.

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