Thyme Hill on track for Cheltenham with conditions set to determine target

Philip Hobbs believes Thyme Hill has earned himself the title of Britain's best novice hurdler and expects last month's Challow Hurdle winner to continue his rapid progress, with his next outing set to be at the Cheltenham Festival.

Unbeaten in three starts over hurdles, the six-year-old recorded a first top-level success at Newbury in workmanlike style last month and could feature in the Ballymore or Albert Bartlett in March.

He is a top-priced 5-1 favourite for the latter and a general 8-1 chance for the Ballymore, with the decision on his Cheltenham target hinging on the going conditions.

Philip Hobbs: Thyme Hill will not run again until the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He's not the most robust horse but he's a lot better than he was last season," said the Somerset trainer. "He wouldn't physically be as tough as some so it makes sense not to run again before Cheltenham. We've been giving him a nice easy time at the moment and he's looking well.

"My first thought when I watched the Challow was that it wasn't as good as before but Richard [Johnson] disagreed. He thought he was just slightly going outside his comfort zone in going as quick as they did. As a result, his jumping at times wasn't as good as it can be. Hopefully the race would've taught him a fair bit and he'll improve.

"He's got the two options but I wouldn't think the Albert Bartlett would be likely if it's very soft ground as I'm not sure he wants a slog."

When asked if Thyme Hill is Britain's best novice hurdler, Hobbs responded: "He's unbeaten and won a Grade 1 so you'd have to think so. Maybe the dangers [at Cheltenham] will come from Ireland."

Sporting John: unbeaten in three startsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Sandhill Racing Stables houses another smart novice hurdler in Sporting John. The JP McManus-owned five-year-old has earned a rating of 146 after two comfortable wins at Exeter and is being given high-class targets to prove whether he is good enough to head to the festival.

Hobbs added: "He'll either run at Cheltenham at the end of the month [January 25] or in a Listed race at Exeter [February 9]. In the first race he won he had some very decent horses behind him and actually madly needed the run. We've got to step him up in grade now."

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