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| |  Friday, 30 March, 2001, 11:00 GMT 12:00 UK Phillips eyes up Noble victory Noble Lord (right) - jumping technique questioned By Emma Collings One trainer who has more reason than most to be keeping his fingers crossed for a fairytale outcome to the world's most famous steeplechase is Richard Phillips. Handler of the well-fancied Noble Lord, Phillips has had the kind of rollercoaster season that would make lesser men throw in the towel. Much to the surprise of the racing world, he was called upon last year to take up the reins at Jackdaws Castle, the premier Gloucestershire training establishment, the base, until his recent retirement, of David Nicholson. Risen to the challenge This controversial decision by Jackdaws' owner Colin Smith left critics of the popular but not widely successful trainer waiting for him to fall at the first hurdle.
However, he has risen to the challenge with a steady flow of winners that have silenced his detractors, the most notable of these being his eight-year-old National hope. Chasing home the highly-regarded Paris Pike in the Scottish National last April, and an impressive win in a three-mile handicap chase at Haydock in the new year saw Noble Lord bound high into the betting for the Aintree showcase. His trainer explained: "The Grand National has always been in the back of our minds with this horse ever since he ran such a cracking race in the Scottish National. "He needs good ground but I certainly think he's got the stamina for Aintree. Anything can happen
"He showed at Ayr that he likes a stiff test. A few people have commented that his jumping technique might not be suited to the National fences, but he's never fallen. "If he jumps round, he'll run a big race, but anything can happen." Most trainers have had their season disrupted by appalling weather and the gloomy spectre of foot-and-mouth disease. Phillips has had to contend with the added uncertainty of not knowing where he will be training next year. Only a few months into the National Hunt season, Jackdaws Castle was sold to legendary Irish gambler J P McManus, owner of Istabraq. Optimism
McManus plans to install fellow Irishman Jonjo O'Neill as his principal jumps trainer for next year's campaign, leaving Phillips to relocate once more. "I'm still working on a base for next year," he confided, but added with typical optimism: "It's been a really enjoyable year and it's flown past, but a lot has been achieved." A high-profile victory in the Grand National would certainly go a long way to making up for some of the hardships thrown at him so far. According to Phillips, he has as good a chance as any. "I keep looking for dangers in the field, but I don't think there's anything that really stands out this year. It's a really open race and to win would be great," he said. Martell Grand National - Saturday 7 April. Live coverage on BBC One, Sport Online and Five Live. Race starts 15:45 BST/14:45 GMT. | |
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