Rooster Booster flys the flag for Hobbs at Aintree

Rooster Booster, so unlucky to be beaten by Sacundai in last year´s Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle when Richard Johnson dropped his whip on the run-in, is likely to be Philip Hobbs´ sole representative in Saturday´s renewal of the £150,000 race, with stablemate Monkerhostin looking certain to take up an easier engagement on Thursday.

Declaring Rooster Booster 'in great form' after his brave second to Hardy Eustace in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, Hobbs outlined his reasons today (Tuesday) for swerving the big one with Monkerhostin, who was put up 7lb after winning the Coral Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

He said: 'The Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle looks like being a really hot race and, in any event, I am not keen taking on Rooster Booster with Monkerhostin, so that would be the least likely of his three options.

'Monkerhostin would have topweight in Friday´s Martell Cognac Handicap Hurdle, and, in all probability, he will run in the meeting´s curtain-raiser on Thursday, the Grade 2 Martell Cognac Liverpool Hurdle.'

Hobbs also confirmed that What´s Up Boys, runner-up to Bindaree two years ago, will have a second crack at the Martell Cognac Grand National, having made an encouraging return from injury at Wincanton, where he finished fourth behind Exit Swinger.

'I was pleased with the performance of What´s Up Boys, though I am not sure how strong the form might be,' said Hobbs, who is hoping that Richard Johnson might be able to win the world´s greatest race for the first time.

Rhinestone Cowboy, who ran the best race of his career when finishing third behind Monkerhostin off topweight in the Coral Hurdle at Cheltenham, is all set to lead Jonjo O´Neill´s assault on Saturday´s Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle.

And, while some professionals were critical of the ride amateur JP Magnier gave Rhinestone Cowboy at Cheltenham, O´Neill confirmed that the youngster, son of the horse´s owners, John and Sue Magnier, is to keep the ride in the £150,000 contest.

O´Neill said: 'Rhinestone Cowboy runs and J P Magnier rides. I was absolutely delighted with both J P and the horse at Cheltenham. The boy did a great job. 'Rhinestone Cowboy has come out of the race really well. We were thrilled to bits with him and, if he runs as well as he did there, he ought to be thereabouts. He´s in grand order.'

O´Neill also has Smurfit Champion Hurdle third Intersky Falcon and Coral Cup ninth Quazar in the Grade One contest over two and a half miles. He added: 'Intersky Falcon has come out of the Champion in good form and it´s all systems go for Saturday, but we will make a decision about Quazar later in the week.'