Hobbs sweet on Captain chance

Philip Hobbs believes Captain Chris has every chance of running a big race in the Betfred Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

The nine-year-old was narrowly beaten by Long Run in a pulsating finish to the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, yet is available at more than twice the odds of Nicky Henderson's contender.

Captain Chris won the Arkle at the Festival in 2011, and Minehead trainer Hobbs told The Independent: "Of all our horses next week, to me he is very much the one that looks overpriced.

"He's definitely better on good ground, which he hasn't had for ages. And remember, he didn't have his first race until he was six.

"He should be reaching his prime at nine, and is possibly still improving. He has probably just lacked experience until now. And while people talk about the distance as a bit of a question, it could even be that he actually wants it."