FINGAL BAY PULLS OUT OF SEASON DUE TO INJURY

FINGAL BAY has suffered an injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the season.

The successful novice chaser made a fantastic start to his career but his unfortunate early departure was the result of a minor tendon injury.

The injury was not due to the Philip Hobbs' horse running into a fence at Exeter last Friday.

COLOUR SQUADRON TO BE TAUGHT DIFFERENT TACTICS

COLOUR SQUADRON could have a set of different tactics thrown upon him by trainer Philip Hobbs after finishing runner-up in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown.

Captain Conan beat the six-year-old by a short-head in the Grade One. It was Colour Squadron's fourth start of his career.

He looked set to finish the race in first place as he did well to make all the running, but he hung badly over the last two jumps which allowed the French import to beat him in the final 100 yards.

HOBBS CONFIDENT HE CAN END 'PHANTOM' SEASON WITH COLOUR SQUADRON

PHILIP Hobbs hasn't had the best season compared to other trainers: Paul Nicholls' season has been superb thanks to champion chasers Kauto Star and Big Bucks; Nicky Henderson's Long Run has placed him firmly back in the spotlight; and Alan King aims to win with Medermit.

Yet Hobbs believes that Colour Squadron is an ideal horse to win Sandown's Tolworth Hurdle.

The six-year-old is Hobbs' promising hurdler, and the trainer is confident that he can make up for his 'phantom' season by winning the Grade One Hurdle on Saturday.

The horse has only had three starts, but can Hobbs prove that his gelding is showing the benefit of having been in full training for a whole season without actually racing?