Monkerhostin Has Cheltenham Option

Monkerhostin could warm up for a tilt at the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup with a run in either the Letheby & Christopher or Aon Chase.

The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding entered calculations for chasing´s blue riband event when he failed by just a neck to catch Kicking King in the Stan James King George VI Chase at Sandown on Boxing Day on his first attempt at three miles over fences.

Hobbs said: 'He´s proved himself an amazingly versatile horse and we will have to aim him at the Gold Cup now.

'Any concerns I had of him getting the trip at Sandown were dispelled when he ran on up the hill as if he wanted further.

'I shall now take him to Cheltenham for what was known as the Pillar at the end of next month or to Newbury for the Aon Chase.'

Hobbs reported One Knight, who took a nasty fall at the last fence of Tuesday´s Coral Welsh National, a little sorry for himself.

However, should this talented but injury-prone gelding remain in good order, he could also take in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Hobbs added: 'He is a little bit stiff this morning, and with his history of problems everything is up in the air.

'It is hard to assess his run at Chepstow because without L´Aventure he could have been a 15-length winner, while against that he would have been beaten by a fairly exposed handicapper, which is certainly not Gold Cup form.

'I am not against the idea of him running in the Gold Cup but the first thing is to find another race for him and the possibilities are the Peter Marsh at Haydock, the Pillar or the Country Gentlemen´s Chase at Wincanton.'

(C) PA Sport