Hobbs Set Fair For Ces Double

Philip Hobbs is hoping lightning can strike twice as he sends out Fair Along in Saturday's totesport.com Cesarewitch at Newmarket.

The Minehead handler claimed the two-mile-two-furlong showpiece with top hurdler Detroit City last year and he is planning to unleash Arkle Trophy runner-up Fair Along this time.

The five-year-old has already run once on the level in 2007, finishing a creditable second in the Chester Cup, prompting William Hill to make him their 9-2 joint-favourite along with Samurai Way.

'It's a competitive race and there's lots of runners but he's joint-favourite at the moment, he seems in good form so we're very hopeful,' said Hobbs.

'They are very different (horses). Detroit City stays massively well but I think Fair Along stays well. He ran well in the Chester Cup, he kept going well so it shouldn't be a problem.

'Fair Along's last run was on the Flat whereas Detroit City had not run on the Flat for a long time.

'He didn't get a very good break out of the stalls in the Chester Cup ? he would want to be reasonably handy so you would hope he gets out of the stalls OK and is fairly well placed.'

Fair Along proved to be one of last season's top two-mile novice chasers, winning Grade Two contests at both Cheltenham and Sandown, in easy conditions.

However, Hobbs does not believe cut in the ground is a prerequisite for his runner.

'I don't think (the ground) matters a lot. He will go on fast and he will cope with some give in the ground ? he wouldn't want very soft,' he told At The Races.

(C) PA Sport