HOBBS BIG GUNS SET FOR EXETER

November 1 promises to be a huge day for trainer Philip Hobbs with stable stars Captain Chris and Menorah set to line up on a fascinating afternoon at Exeter.

While Captain Chris has had the feature Haldon Gold Cup on the agenda for some time, the Minehead handler will let Grade One-winning hurdler Menorah make his chasing debut at the same fixture.

Hobbs said: "We haven't managed to do any schooling with Menorah yet as it's been rock-hard here, but we don't expect any problems.

"He's the right age to go chasing and has all the attributes to make a top-class chaser.

"All being well, he'll run at Exeter on November 1, in a two-mile-one-furlong novice chase, but we'll need a bit of rain before then.

"I'll probably be very nervous that day as we're planning to run Captain Chris there, too."

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GRANDS CRUS TO CROSS CHASE DIVIDE

Grands Crus, David Pipe's top-class staying hurdler, is set to embark upon a new career over fences next month.

The six-year-old grey was expected to put it up to Big Buck's in last season's World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival following a superb performance in the Cleeve Hurdle, but he was ultimately no match for that brilliant performer.

Big Buck's was an even more emphatic winner when the pair renewed rivalry at Aintree a month later and with Grands Crus disappointing in the French Champion Hurdle on his latest start, connections have decided to switch codes.

"We are very excited to be planning a novice chase campaign with him for the season. We'll aim to have him out in November," said Pipe.

"We have a lot of new horses this season accompanied by a lot of the old boys.

"We're really looking forward to the season and I'd like to think we'll have a consistent season with winners at the Cheltenham Festival the aim.

"It's so difficult to get even one winner there but we've got a lovely lot of horses and a great team and we're really looking forward to the season."

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WEBBER RUES AUSTRALIA REVERSE

Paul Webber felt things conspired against Australia Day during his chasing debut at Huntingdon on Sunday.

The eight-year-old grey was sent off favourite to make a winning start to his new career, having won four races on the Flat and three times over hurdles, but it was not to be his day.

Australia Day jumped the first fence in a false start, and then produced an enigmatic display, that included both hair-raising and spectacular leaps, at the second attempt. He eventually finished second.

"I think we were very unfortunate with the false start," said Webber.

"He was reasonably relaxed and then he went and jumped the first and had to go back again.

"He's a bold front-runner and I'm not expecting him to go to the top over fences as he needs fast ground.

"He has done very well for us on the Flat and over hurdles but the handicapper has collared him in both spheres now so we'll see what we can do over fences.

"I suspect he'll probably tire himself out eventually as front-runners like him are that bit harder on themselves.

"He'll go to Kempton on a fortnight and we'll go from there."

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DANCE WORK DELIGHTS VAUGHAN

Ed Vaughan expressed delight after Dance And Dance completed his serious preparations for the Shadwell Mile at Keeneland on Saturday.

Vaughan's stable star is already out in America, and reportedly went well in a solo-spin on the Keeneland Polytrack on Monday.

Dance And Dance has endured no end of misfortune this term, and was again out of luck when sixth in a Grade One in Canada last time.

Vaughan said: "He is very fit and I'm hoping that Saturday will be his day.

"I was pleased with how he worked on Monday. His coat has started to break, but he has a good shine to him.

"He is healthy and well in himself and, although it is a competitive race, I feel that if he reproduced his last performance he should go close.

"Jamie Spencer will ride him in the race," the Newmarket handler told his website, www.efvaughan.com.

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INJURED CAPE BLANCO RETIRED TO STUD

Cape Blanco has been retired to stud after sustaining a knee injury when

winning at Belmont Park in America on Saturday.

The four-year old son of Galileo sustained the injury while winning the Joe Hirsch Classic Invitational over 12 furlongs.

Ridden by Jamie Spencer, he was hard-pressed to hold off the challenge of Dean's Kitten to win by a nose with his success completing a hat-trick of Grade One victories in the United States.

He had previously won the Arlington Million in August and the Man O'War Stakes, back at Belmont, in July.

Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Cape Blanco hadn't raced in Europe since finishing down the field behind Canford Cliffs over an inadequate mile in the Queen Anne Stakes.

His victories in Europe included a further two top-level success in the Irish Derby and Irish Champion Stakes whilst he also got the better of Workforce in the Dante.

O'Brien said: "Cape Blanco is an extremely talented and courageous horse with a tremendous attitude to his racing so we will all be very sad to see him leave Ballydoyle.

"The fact that he never once changed leads in the home straight in spite of his injury just goes to prove what a brave horse he is. It is very disappointing for all the partners especially the Hays as we were very much looking forward to the Breeders' Cup."

Stud plans for Cape Blanco will be announced at a later date.

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TANGERINE TREES TO STAY AT TOP TABLE

Tangerine Trees is to be aimed at all of the top-level sprints next year after winning the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp on Sunday.

Trainer Bryan Smart is unlikely to ask the six-year-old to run again this season, but is already looking forward to 2012.

"His nickname was 'Group Horse' very early on in his career and when you see he won his maiden at Wolverhampton, I think it says to people give it a go," said Smart.

"He's won four handicaps at Hamilton and they've named a race after him. He's been a superstar for us.

"After he won his Group Three (Palace House Stakes) he went wrong in his back and that is why he lost his form.

"But when he won the Listed race (Beverley Bullet) we knew there was a bit more to come.

"I think that'll be it for this year. Next year he'll have a Group One penalty so we'll have to be in the Group Ones.

"It's been a slow road but it's got very quick at the end," the North Yorkshire handler told Racing UK.

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WEATHER DICTATES CUE CARD RETURN

Colin Tizzard will only consider giving Cue Card his debut over fences at Chepstow on Saturday if the ground eases.

The 2010 Cheltenham Festival bumper hero and Grade Two hurdle winner is ready to switch to the bigger obstacles.

As a result, the Dorset trainer has put the five-year-old in the Bet At Bluesq.com On Your Mobile Novices' Chase at the Welsh track.

A 17-strong entry for the two-mile-three-and-a-half-furlong event also includes Silviniaco Conti.

Paul Nicholls' charge, who has also yet to run over fences, was half a length behind Cue Card when the pair were second and third to Menorah in the stanjames.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December.

However, the weather needs to break for Cue Card to be seen in action at the weekend.

"It needs to rain. We were 27C on Monday and we're only 70 miles from Chepstow," said Tizzard.

"If they get a good bit of rain that's probably where we'll start.

"He's always been a straightforward horse to train. We've schooled him in the indoor school and he's always jumped well.

"He's only got an entry and we'll be looking at it in the next few days.

"There's no real reason to say he's going to run at this stage. It's only if the ground came right we might have a go. We won't run away from the opposition.

"We always thought he'd be a chaser. We're not exactly sure what his distance is at the moment.

"He's very effective at two miles and I think he'll stay further than two and a half."

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