Hobbs outlines plans for Balthazar & Roy Philip Hobbs has pencilled in a cross-country race in France for Balthazar King after his terrific performance in finishing second to Pineau De Re in the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday. The 10-year-old has had a superb season, beginning with victory in a French cross-country contest in September. He went on to win over conventional fences at Cheltenham in October before clinching major cross-country prizes at Prestbury Park in both November and March. Hobbs is looking forward to another trip to France with his charge at the end of May and has already mapped out his route back to Aintree next season. The Somerset handler, who also saddled Chance Du Roy to finish sixth in the National, said: "Both horses are absolutely A1 and we were delighted with both of them. "Balthazar King ran a fantastic race and he's an amazing horse, really. It's obviously frustrating to come so close and not win, but you have to be delighted with how he performed. "The plan is to go to Le Lion-d'Angers for a big cross-country race on May 29th. After that he'll have a break and I would imagine he'll come back in the cross-country race at Craon in early September, which he won last year. "Now his handicap mark has shot up to 159, I don't think he'll run in the race at Cheltenham in October, but he'll probably run in the cross-country race at the Paddy Power meeting in November again. Then he'll have a winter break, as we know he doesn't go on winter ground. "With his new mark the cross-country race at the Festival will be difficult for him as it's a handicap, so we might just miss it next year and go straight to Aintree. We know he goes well fresh, so that's what we might do." Chance Du Roy may not be seen again until defending his title in the Becher Chase over the Grand National fences in early December. Hobbs said: "Chance Du Roy ran very well and looked to have the better chance of the two at the third-last, but he hasn't got home on the day. He won the Becher last December, so I would imagine he'll go there again and it will probably be his next run."
