3 minute read

Better ground would increase chance for Hobson ace.

Richard Hobson feels he has Chic Name  ready to run another good race in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Friday.

It will be just 26 days since Chic Name was in action over the specialist course and distance, when third to Diesel D'Allier on unsuitably soft ground.

The locally-based handler acknowledges the time span is tight, but he has done everything he can to ensure the seven-year-old turns up in prime condition and is hoping conditions are better.

"It's a shame the races are so close together. We only get three and a half weeks from running three-miles-six-and-a-half-furlongs and 32 obstacles, but I seem to have got him back in good shape, so fingers crossed," said Hobson.

"He's won those nice chases around Newbury on good ground and the ground wasn't in his favour last time. It won't be on Friday, but the day he gets just lovely perfect ground there you will see a complete different animal.

"On soft ground he still jumps well, but he can't travel with the ease that he can.

"If the ground is not as saturated as it was last time, and he can bounce off it a bit better, then there'll be a good run coming from him."