ENFIN PHIL 12 March 2014 No Risk At All-Nheyranne-Chestnut Gelding Owner-Randall Orchard & Partners.
Enfin Phil started his career in French bumpers, before graduating to hurdles, when getting off the mark at the 3rd attempt at Vichy racecourse in a 4 year old hurdle, when still an entire, for his trainer Emmanual Clayeux.
He was subsequently gelded and sent to us at Oakwood Stables, where he made his British debut at Hexham finishing 6th after racing too freely. We saw the real Enfin Phil over Christmas at Wetherby when he finished 3rd to the Ruth Jefferson trained Northern Soul, Enfin Phil would probably have won that race, but he was carrying a 6lb penalty having of course already won in France. A disappointing run at Catterick next time was put behind him when going down by only a length and a quarter to Phil Kirby's classy Whoshotthesheriff at Sedgefield. His final run before his break was in good company at Newcastle where he finished a respectable 4th.
He returned at Wetherby in October of last year, and after making a noise, it was decided that minor wind surgery was required. Within weeks he was back on the track, finishing 4th at Wetherby again. That run put him spot on for Boxing Day at Sedgefield where he was only just touched off in the handicap hurdle. He made no mistake at Catterick 2 weeks later when making all under Alain Cawley, storming home by 3 and a half lengths. Hopes were high back at the same venue at the end of the month of following up off a 6lb penalty, but after trailing in last of the 5, he was found to have a snotty nose, so that run can be forgotten.
Enfin Phil is still very lightly raced, and there is definitely improvement to come from this above average performer.
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