Hobbs hoping I'm A Game Changer can keep on the right track

4.10 Newbury
Be Wiser Insurance Handicap Hurdle | 2m½f | 4yo+ | RUK

I'm A Game Changer is steadily getting his act together and bids to complete a hat-trick for Cheltenham Festival-winning pair Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson.

Previously, I'm A Game Changer had been in rather a hurry to do everything and his keenness in races had compromised his chances at the finish. However, back-to-back wins at Bangor and Ludlow suggest the five-year-old is learning what it takes to succeed.

Trainer Dan Skelton will be hoping Optimus Prime can follow the lead of I'm A Game Changer. The ex-French five-year-old failed to build on a promising debut at Huntingdon when racing far too keenly on the lead before being pulled up at Mussselburgh last time.

A first-time tongue-tie and the calming hands of Noel Fehily have been enlisted to help. It will be only his fifth ride for Skelton since the trainer took out a licence four years ago.

Target trainers

Trainers Philip Hobbs and Nicky Henderson have a good record in this race, both winning it twice in the last ten years. They are represented by I'm A Game Changer and Maestro Royal respectively.

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Optimus Prime and Zarib
I don’t know what happened to Optimus Prime at Musselburgh. We’ve got to get him to settle better in this race. Zarib ran a good race the other day after a fall, but I don’t think he’s competitively handicapped.

Alan King, trainer of Inner Drive and Minella Charmer
Two miles would be plenty sharp enough for Inner Drive, but I’d like to get him started after his leg injury and I can’t find another race for him. He’s sure to come on. Minella Charmer is switching back to hurdles after disappointing over fences.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of I’m A Game Changer
The main thing is he needs to settle better. He was better at Ludlow last time and hopefully he’ll progress again in this race. Hopefully he’ll run very well again.

Tony Carroll, trainer of Prairie Town
He had a fall at the last at Sandown which was unlucky as he might have nicked a place. He seems to have come out of it well though and the rain has come for him. He’s got a nice chance.