Defi De Seuil Given Clarence House Or Game Spirit Target For Return

Leading two mile chaser Defi Du Seuil is looking to kickstart his season in 2021 and his trainer Philip Hobbs has given in options in either the Grade One Clarence House Chase at Ascot or the Grade Two Game Spirit Chase at Newbury for his return.

Defi Du Seuil has been a superstar for Philip Hobbs over the last few years landing numerous Grade Ones over both hurdles and fences and he makes his return in the Shloer Chase on Sunday at Prestbury Park.

Having been faultless in his three runs last term before the festival, winning all three of his contests over two miles including back to back Grade Ones in his last two runs in the Clarence House and Tingle Creek.

He headed to the festival going into the Champion Chase that fell apart in truth, and gave a below par effort, with everything going wrong for the chaser on the day.

Back for another season, Hobbs was hoping he could bounce back to form in the Grade Two Shloer Chase which he landed last term, but again gave a very underwhelming run which saw him pulled up before the finish.

Although it is worrying he has not shown the best of his ability on his last two starts and has been prone in the past to run below par, he is still a Grade One winning hurdler and chaser that has been a superstar in the past.

Hobbs and connections believes he can bounce back to his best and after being given some time off since the poor outing at Cheltenham, it is now make or break in either the Clarence House or the Game Spirit.

Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus said: “He seems fine. He didn’t perform on the day for some reason, but nothing showed up.

“He’s had a bit of a break and hopefully he’ll be back in time for that (Ascot). He has an entry, but we’ll know nearer the time how he is.

“He has the Game Spirit as his other option.”