Bobs Worth could revert to hurdles

A tilt at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle could be a possibility for Bobs Worth after his admirable effort in defeat in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson's 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero appeared a shadow of his former in three starts last season, but looked revitalised when beating stable companion Simonsig over hurdles at Aintree in early November.

But after finishing sixth in his quest to retain his Hennessy crown at Newbury on Saturday, part-owner Malcolm Kimmins admits a return to hurdling is under serious consideration for Bobs Worth.

He said: "We will consider bringing him back in a hurdle race, perhaps.

"He's unbeaten over hurdles and we'll sit down in a week or two before we make plans, but hurdling is definitely an option and I know it's something Nicky is quite enthusiastic about.

"Hopefully it will eventually stop raining and we'll get some nicer ground for him to run on again.

"I think we can probably say categorically he won't be running in the Gold Cup again.

"He's been there and done that and we'll try and find him an alternative and more straightforward end to his career.

"He has been, and still is, such a superstar.

"We've been blessed to be associated with such an extraordinarily tough and game horse and we won't make him do anything he doesn't want to do at this stage of his career.

"He's a 10-year-old now, so he's in the twilight years, inevitably, but he seems to be enjoying himself again this season.

"As soon as he shows he's not enjoying it, he'll be retired gracefully."

On his Hennessy run, Kimmins added: "I think we were all pretty happy with how he performed on what was awful ground on the day," said Kimmins.

"There was some debate in the morning whether we should run, but we felt we had to run him with the way the weights were and he ran a good, sensible race and enjoyed himself enormously.

"He came out of the race with a smile on his face, which is what it's all about."