Fingal Bay set for Aintree

Philip Hobbs could send Fingal Bay to the Grade One John Smith's Sefton Hurdle at Aintree as he recovers well from an injury.

Sefton test for unbeaten star

Philip Hobbs could send Fingal Bay to the Grade One John Smith's Sefton Hurdle at Aintree after being delighted with his progress following a small injury. The unbeaten six-year-old suffered a minor setback before the Cheltenham Festival which ruled him out of the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle. That contest was won in great style by Nicky Henderson's Simonsig, a horse that Fingal Bay beat by two-and-three-quarter lengths at Sandown in December. Hobbs is now debating whether to send his King's Theatre gelding to Aintree or Punchestown, with the injury that ruled him out of Cheltenham totally cleared up. Hobbs told AtTheRaces: "He's now absolutely fine, back cantering again. "The three-mile novices' hurdle at Aintree is worth more than any of the novice hurdles at Cheltenham and providing the ground is alright he'll probably go there, although Punchestown is a possibilty for him."