Hobbs baffled by Defi reverse at Ascot Philip Hobbs is at a loss to explain Defi Du Seuil's disappointing display in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday. The JP McManus-owned four-year-old enjoyed an unbeaten juvenile campaign last season, winning each of his seven races, including the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He was a hot favourite to make a winning reappearance, but trailed home a well-beaten fourth behind Lil Rockerfeller. Hobbs told Racing UK: "He's perfectly all right. It was obviously very disappointing and nothing's come to light afterwards. "We'll watch him very closely in the next week and then make a plan. Barry Geraghty was happy enough at the fourth-last and as they turned into the straight, from there on he was struggling." He added: " He was rather fresh, but he's that sort of horse anyway. He's keen to get on with it. "I couldn't have been happier with him at home. I don't have any race in mind at this stage as we'll just have to see how he is and go from there."
