Philip Hobbs eyes spring targets for Menoarah and Wishfull Thinking

Philip Hobbs is to give stable stalwarts Menorah and Wishfull Thinking short breaks before gearing them up for spring campaigns.

Despite their advancing years the Minehead handler has mapped out potential plans for the Diana Whateley-owned geldings later in the season on their favoured quicker ground.

Although Wishfull Thinking was beaten out of sight in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon, the 12-year-old had previously shown plenty of ability remains intact after just being touched off in the Old Roan Chase in October.

Menorah, meanwhile, put behind him a tame effort in the Charlie Hall Chase with a fair third on ground softer than ideal in a Listed contest at Aintree.

Hobbs said: "They both want better ground and are now having a short break, although one of them might run in the two-and-a-half-mile Listed chase at Kempton on January 9. They have both come out of their last races fine.

"It's pointless bringing them to the Cheltenham Festival. Both will have entries at Aintree in the two-and-a-half-mile and three-mile conditions chases, after that Menorah will run in the race at Sandown he has won the last two years (Oaksey Chase).

"Wishfull Thinking may then go to Cheltenham for a two-and-a-half-mile Limited handicap chase in April."