Hobbs ace up for the fight in Cheltenham’s Caspian Gold Cup

WAR SOUND (nb) can win the battle for the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup (1.55, ITV4) at Cheltenham today.

Philip Hobbs’ nine-year-old suffered from ‘seconditis’ for much of last season, claiming the silver medal five times.

But Hobbs (below) appears to have found a cure if the son of Kayf Tara’s return-to-action victory in a big-money handicap chase at Aintree last month is any guide.

Travelling strongly under Tom O’Brien, who makes way for Richard Johnson this afternoon,

War Sound was produced to lead at the final flight and sprinted away to score by six lengths from

King’s Odyssey.

There’s a 10lb rise in the weights to deal with but War Sound, lightly raced for a horse of his age, is taken to build on his maiden success over fences for a stable that continues to churn out the winners.

Favourite was moving with ominous ease when brought down four out in the BetVictor Gold Cup here last month, in which was runner-up, while last Saturday’s Aintree faller

is capable of a good run at double-figure odds.