Racing Post...
On Voy Por.....
Pair may go hurdling after missing Exeter chase
by David Carr
VOY POR USTEDES (pictured above, left) and Twist Magic could both make unexpected returns to hurdling after being ruled out of Tuesday's William Hill Gold Cup.
Each had been firmly pencilled in to make his comeback in Tuesday afternoon's £70,000 but neither was declared for the biggest race of the season at Exeter, where the ground on the chase course was described officially as good, good to firm in places.
Alan King felt there was not enough give underfoot for Voy Por Ustedes and said: “It was too firm and we are not chancinghim - it is not worth the risk. We were desperate to run but we have waited this long and we will continue to wait.
“We are not going to go anywhere until it rains but I have put him in over hurdles in a limited handicap at Wincanton on Saturday, theElite Hurdle - he is on off only 130 so that is an option for him.”
Voy Por Ustedes, who has not run over hurdles since his juvenile campaign in 2004/5 when he won three times, is among 18 entries for the Elite, along with last season's smart novice Osana and Deep Purple, who is unbeaten in four runs over jumps for Evan Williams.
Paul Nicholls also withdrew Twist Magic from the Exeter race and said: “When Alan didn't run Voy Por Ustedes I wasn't very keen on running under top-weight first time as a five-year-old on that ground so we decided to wait and play safe.
“He is in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham and there is a graduation chase at Kempton next week that he is eligible for but we will wait and see where we go.”
... and Monk!
Monkerhostin effort thrills Hobbs
by Nick Robson
PHILIP HOBBS was delighted with Monkerhostin's third behind Ollie Magern in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.
The former King George VI Chase runner-up may next be seen over hurdles due to a lack of opportunities over fences.
"I was chuffed to bits really but there aren't that many options for him with his handicap mark," said Hobbs.
"We have the Limited handicaps to go at but he is 10 years old and he is not getting any better.
"I was delighted with his jumping, he raced with enthusiasm and he stayed on very well.
"We did have him entered in the Aintree race in which Kauto Star ran (the Old Roan Chase) but I think probably two and a half miles is too short for him these days - but we are looking at all the options.
"I wouldn't even disregard a three-mile hurdle race for him as there are so few options for him we just have to go where we can."
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