We had a decent day at Fairyhouse last Sunday with our 12/1 e/w NAP Early Doors
placing behind the very promising Mengli Khan. The front two pulled a long way
clear of the remainder in what looked a decent race and both horses could be
worth keeping an eye on with Cheltenham in mind. Agent Boru also ran a mighty
race for us at 66/1, getting squeezed out between the last two hurdles but keeping
on strongly down the outer to get back up for 5th. That was just his second
handicap start and he is a horse with a lot of potential.
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| Matt Griffiths and Nicky Martin have forged a good partnership. |
Tomorrow I like the look of one at a big price at Sandown and I think Phobiaphiliac
could outrun his odds for Nicky Martin and Matt Griffiths. This former Nicky
Henderson inmate ran a lovely race on his chase debut for his new yard behind
Yanworth and Sternrubin at Exeter (17.5f gd/sft), jumping well but tiring late
having pulled very hard early on. He was always in rear on his handicap chase
debut at Ludlow last time (16f gd) but he was never likely to be suited by the
drop back in trip in that hot 0-135 contest.
The handicapper has cut him 5lb to 123 after that poor run and
Phobiaphiliac is now able to drop into a 0-125 race. This is nowhere near as strong
a contest as his last race at Ludlow and he will also be suited by the step back up
in trip to 20f. His two hurdle wins for Nicky Henderson came at 20.5f in Southwell
maiden (won by 18L) and by 9L in a Lingfield Novice, both on good ground.
He is rated 132 over timber so he looks feasibly treated off 123 over fences.
His trainer, Nicky Martin, is on course to have his best season so far since
moving into the training ranks and he has teamed up to good effect with Matt
Griffiths. He has ridden 3 winners and had 9 top 4 finishes from just 20 rides
for Martin this season. I have always believed that Matt Griffiths is a top quality
jockey and hopefully he proves me right by hitting the frame on Phobiaphiliac
at odds of 25/1.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: 13.55
SANDOWN-PHOBIAPHILIAC E/W @ 25/1
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