Philip Hobbs pinpoints next stop for impressive Thyme Hill before Cheltenham

Thyme Hill, the shortest-priced British-trained horse for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, will head to Ascot next in preparation for the Cheltenham Festival.

The Grade 1-winning hurdler allayed any doubts over his jumping technique when winning the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton by 15 lengths last Monday.

He is a best-priced 10-1 to give his trainer Philip Hobbs a second win in the 3m novice chase at the festival after One Knight's victory in 2003, with fellow festive top-level winners Gaillard Du Mesnil and Gerri Colombe heading the betting at 8-1.

"He's come out of the race well," said Hobbs. "I presume we'll be looking at a race like the Reynoldstown next for him before we think about Cheltenham."

The trainer believes the more testing conditions at Kempton suited his stable star, who reversed Newbury form with McFabulous, and will now target the race O'Faolains Boy won before going on to land the Brown Advisory in 2014.

Hobbs said: "I think it was a combination of the cheekpieces, soft ground and a strong pace which saw him improve."

The victory was a third at the highest level and second over fences for Thyme Hill, who began chasing at the relatively late age of eight.

The versatile gelding might also have the option of the Turners Novices' Chase, National Hunt Chase or Stayers' Hurdle at the festival.

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