TOP National Hunt trainer Philip Hobbs was basking in glory this week after a last-gasp victory in one of the season's major races, the Hennessey Cognac Gold Cup, on Saturday.
What's Up Boys, a seven-year-old 14-1 shot, snatched the win on the line by a neck from Behrajan in the gruelling three-mile handicap chase at Newbury.
The win has now left Philip with a dilemma - to run What's Up Boys in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day or the Coral Eurobet Welsh National at Chepstow the following day.
The grey, who has won four of his seven races, has been entered for both but a decision on which he will run in has yet to be made.
"I was delighted with the performance because it is always good to win a big race like that," Philip told the Free Press.
"He is entered for both races but we won't decide until later which to run him in because we will have to see about the ground and the opposition."
The horse's odds for the Welsh National were immediately slashed by Coral from 12-1to 4-1 but he has been saddled with a four pound penalty for his win on Saturday, taking him up to 11st 1lb.
Looking further ahead, bookmakers William Hill have cut What's Up Boys' price for the Cheltenham Gold Cup to 25-1 from 33-1.
Saturday's win was a bonus for jockey Paul Flynn, who had taken over the ride from Richard Johnson after he broke his leg in a fall at Exeter in October.
What's Up Boys is pictured with Philip and stablegirl Katie Ashworth after his win.
Photo: Steve Guscott.