Hobbs has been undecided about where to start him off this season, he holds an entry in the Hennessy later this month and an entry at Cheltenham on Sunday, but the Minehead trainer looks set to give him the Paddy Power green light – if the ground is suitable.

“Nothing has been decided, but if you asked me which race I’d say we were erring towards the Paddy Power,” said Hobbs.

“It rather depends on the weather and the impact that has on the ground.

“If it’s good ground that should be fine, but were there any quickness in it at all he wouldn’t be running in either race (at Cheltenham).”

Nigel Twiston-Davies has a fine record in the Paddy Power having won it with Imperial Commander and Little Josh recently, and he is likely to run both Billie Magern and Swincombe Rock.

“We’ve got two in the Paddy Power, Billie Magern and Swincombe Rock, who are both last season’s novices, which seems to work a treat in the Paddy Power Gold Cup,” said Twiston-Davies.

“The handicapper has probably not really got a hold of them yet and both horses gallop and jump well so let’s have a go.

“When Billie Magern won at Cheltenham, it was a good dress rehearsal and he likes the ground (good). The horse is 5lb out of the handicap if Poquelin runs, which looks like happening, and that makes things difficult.

“Swincombe Rock is also 4lb out of the handicap but we’ve got have a go.

“I would imagine Sam (Twiston-Davies) would ride Billie and David England would be on Swincombe Rock but I’ve got to talk to the owners.

“The ground is not a worry for Billie, but unless the ground is good, Swincombe Rock will not run.”

Paddy Power offer 14-1 that Twiston-Davies wins back-to-back renewals of the race with Billie Magern a 20-1 chance and Swincombe Rock a 33-1 shot.