Red-hot Philip Hobbs eyeing French riches for Aintree hero Thyme Hill's return

The first full week of October was one to remember for Philip Hobbs with an incredible 47 per cent strike-rate and the red-hot trainer is planning a trip to Auteuil for his stable star Thyme Hill next month.

Hobbs is favouring a crack at the Grade 1 Grand Prix d'Automne on November 6, a race won by Reve De Sivola, Zarkandar and Thousand Stars between 2013 and 2015 and worth €157,500 (£133,632) to the winner, for last year's Ryanair Stayers Hurdle scorer.

The bet365 Hurdle, registered as the West Yorkshire Hurdle, at Wetherby on October 30 offers £28,475 to the winner, while Newbury's Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle, which Thyme Hill made a successful reappearance in last year, has a first prize of £34,170.