PHILIP Hobbs, in second place to Paul Nicholls to the trainers' championship, can pay to follow at today's two jumps fixtures.

Minehead-based Hobbs, whose horses are firing on all cylinders, has fancied runners at Chepstow and at Kempton and punters could do worse than to combine some of his candidates in combination bets.

At Chepstow's delayed meeting, because of flooding, Hobbs can win the featured £120,000 Coral Welsh National with Woodford County, one of his three runners in the race, and can also score with the unbeaten Jaboltiski.

Meanwhile, at Kempton, he can hit the target with Tapaculo and Brother Tedd – both mounts of his stable jockey Richard Johnson, who is looking more and more certain to become this season's champion.

WOODFORD COUNTY, who has course-winning form at Chepstow, aims for the big one in the Welsh National and is a horse in fine form.

He was a winner at Exeter recently and although that success has earned him a 4lb penalty, he still figures at the foot of the weights in this marathon contest.

Hobbs also saddles Bertie Boru and Return Spring in this famous race – and both have chances – but Woodford County makes plenty of appeal with Ciaran Gethings claiming a valuable 5lb off his back, allowing him in under 10st.

JABOLTISKI contests the coral.co.uk Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle and this exciting prospect is napped to complete a hat-trick of wins.

Successful at Exeter and Huntingdon, Jaboltiski looks well up to the standard required to win a Grade 1 race and Tom O'Brien looks sure to get a good spin from him.

Also worth noting at Chepstow are the consistent MILLANISI BOY (12.35) and last month's Exeter winner OTAGO TRAIL (3.25).

BROTHER TEDD lines up for Hobbs at Kempton in the £40,000 William Hill Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle.

The seven-year-old, a previous course winner, has developed into a very useful horse and he lost no caste in defeat when third to Rock On Ruby in a Grade 2 contest at Ascot on his latest start.

This step back up in trip will suit him and although he is forced to concede weight all round, he will be a tough nut to crack as the class horse of the race.

TAPACULO can be another Hobbs winner in the William Hill – Bet And Watch Novices' Hurdle.

A 23-length winner at Chepstow last time, when following up a previous course success, Tapaculo looks well above average. He has every chance of completing a hat-trick.

Hobbs saddles Wishfull Thinking in the williamhill.com Chase and although only three line up for this Listed contest, PTIT ZIG may prove the answer.

A final-fence faller, when beaten at the time, in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon – where Wishfull Thinking finished a remote third after going off much too quickly at the head of affairs – Ptit Zig had previously finished second to the mighty Vautour at Ascot.

It's a battle between the age-groups here. Wishfull Thinking recently became a teenager, while Ptit Zig is a seven-year-old and should be in the prime of his career.

The other runner, Triolo d'Alene, has something to find on figures and will need to be on his mettle to beat his two rivals, even in receipt of 10lb.

BALGARRY is worth another chance in the William Hill Download The App Handicap Chase.

The eight-year-old unseated his rider at the third fence on his latest outing at Newbury but had previously won nicely at Taunton. David Pipe's gelding can get back on top under Tom Scudamore.

GILD MASTER (12.15), trained by Alan King, looks an interesting newcomer in the opening race, while JUMPS ROAD (3.45) is entitled to have improved for his respectable third-placed effort on his comeback run at Exeter last month. He should be sharper this time.

Finally, and unfortunately, this is my final column for the York Press after more than 25 years trying to find you winners. It's been a pleasure. May I wish you all a happy and prosperous racing year in 2016.