With its marathon trip and dual-purpose cast, no race embodies the crossover point of Flat and jumps seasons better than the Cesarewitch and no trainer embraces it with more relish than Philip Hobbs. On Saturday, as he saddles important runners at Cheltenham, Hobbs will be distracted once more by Champions Day at Newmarket, in which Liberate will bid to enhance his already imposing record in the race.

In the past two years, Hobbs has won the totesport-sponsored Cesarewitch with Detroit City and seen Fair Along narrowly denied. Liberate brings obvious credentials as a talented hurdler whose last Flat outing was a close third at Royal Ascot.

Jamie Spencer, who rode both Detroit City and Fair Along, retains the mount on Liberate. “Jamie thought they would go a good gallop at Ascot but they didn't,” Hobbs reflected. “As a result, he was in front too soon. Hopefully, there will be more pace at Newmarket. Like the other two I've run there, he is a thorough stayer with enough natural speed to hold a position.”

Liberate is also a fast-ground specialist, which is why his jumping career is problematical. “It's difficult for him in mid-winter but the plan is to go for the long-distance hurdle on November 1 at Wetherby, where he'll be one of the few to like their quick going. Longer term, I'd like him to go back to Royal Ascot next June before he starts chasing in the summer.”

Like many of his recruits from the Flat, Liberate was previously trained by Sir Mark Prescott. The relationship, Hobbs says, is productive and instructive. “Sir Mark comes down here once a year and we go there every spring. I learn something each time and it's all so different from how we do things.”

Ironically, Fair Along, who shares with Liberate the distinction of being runner-up in a Triumph Hurdle, will also run on Saturday, back over hurdles at Cheltenham. “He was a bit disappointing after the Cesarewitch last year and, as he's rated lower over hurdles than fences, we want to try and rejuvenate him.”

Throughout the opening two-day meeting at Cheltenham, which starts on Friday, Hobbs will be fighting the influence of Paul Nicholls's champion yard. “Martin Pipe's domination was based on numbers but Paul has so much quality in depth,” Hobbs said.