Hobbs excited for Ascot meeting

Philip Hobbs says he is looking forward to seeing stable star Defi Du Seuil and Un De Sceaux clash at Ascot on Saturday.

The John P McManus-owned Defi Du Seuil and Irish challenger Un De Sceaux put on an epic show at Sandown in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase last month, with Hobbs’ charge coming out on top by a neck.

Connections from both camps have been eager to see a rematch between the pair and that will happen on Saturday when they go head-to-head in the Matchbook Clarence House Chase at Ascot.

Defi Du Seuil, a six-time Grade 1 winner, is said to be in great shape ahead of the race and Hobbs is confident his charge can prevail again.

“It ought to be close with Un De Sceaux again,” he said at a press event at his yard in Somerset. “He’s [Un De Sceaux] been a fantastic horse for a long time – it’s amazing how he’s kept going for so well. He’s obviously a horse to be feared but, at the same time, we beat him last time and I hope we might again.

“Defi [Du Seuil] is A1 at the moment. He schooled well yesterday and is very much on course for Saturday. It’ll be testing but he’s run well on soft ground before. He won the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow when it was absolutely horrendous and last season he won the Scilly Isles when it was soft.”

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