Fahey’s backing Pavlova to taste sweet success

10:17am Saturday 5th July 2008

By Colin Woods (Janus)

ANNA PAVLOVA (3.00) bids to improve an already outstanding campaign for Malton trainer Richard Fahey by scooping Haydock's Group 2 Lancashire Oaks.

Now that Murray-mania is over, a touch of Faheyworship might not go amiss, appreciation for a guy clawing his way up the ladder by virtue of hard work and prodigious talent.

Over the past decade Fahey has created a thriving business from scratch to 130 horses, a remarkable achievement in a relatively short space of time.

It's a results-based sport and Anna Pavlova has provided a near-flawless flagship for the stable by winning nine of her 20 lifetime starts.

The highlight of the mare's career came via a famous Longchamp success at the 2007 Arc Festival, but today would come a close second if she takes the money.

It does seem as if this is going to be Anna Pavlova's swan-song season, so a highprofile, home-soil Pattern race victory would be something to cherish for all concerned.

The ante-post betting for the Old Newton Cup suggests it's a one-horse race, so far clear is 4-1 market leader Mad Rush in the prices chalked up by bet365.

Opponents of the current handicapping system need look no further than the injustice done to Mad Rush, hiked a whopping 22lbs without actually winning!

For sure he keeps finishing second in top-flight handicaps, however it is heartbreak-hotel when that sort of nonsensical stuff is dished out.

Of course it's his opponents that are the chief benefactors, including John Quinn's Pevensey (3.35), not far behind Mad Rush at Royal Ascot and now 4lbs better off at the weights.

Pevensey's prospects of turning the tables very much depend on the forecast rain arriving as he's different class on soft ground.

If all goes to plan and underfoot conditions do ease, the advice is an each-way bet on the six-year-old since there's no question that a mud-bath will suit.

As is generally the case, on balance the card favours the first-named protagonist in the constant war between bookmaker and punter.

Having a bet in a16-runner six-furlong dash is not exactly what the bank manager would recommend, but some of us are simply gluttons for punishment.

Supporters of the Michael Dods-trained Marvellous Value prepared to take the risk were twice rewarded when the gelding scored at odds of 15-2 and 7-1.

Unfortunately, Marvellous Value (4.45) was subsequently unable to maintain his unbeaten record, although he still ran a blinder in defeat at York's May meeting.

Rested for 50 days, during which time Dods' team have remained in sparkling form, the progressive three-yearold is still one to keep very much in mind.

At Sandown, the Coral Eclipse takes centre stage, a Group 1 contest in which Aidan O'Brien has the favourite, Mount Nelson.

It's all becoming a bit too predictable for the health of horse racing, O'Brien and his cronies coming over from Ireland to snap up the best bits of the pie.

There was a golden era when home-grown talent like Henry Cecil ruled the roost, and with this in mind maybe his Phoenix Tower (3.20) can ease the Irish stranglehold.

Phoenix Tower advertised his claims with a terrific second to Duke Of Marmalade at Royal Ascot, form slap-bang out of the top-drawer.

Flipando (2.40) is a raider from our region with a massive chance to take a hand in the outcome of the £100,000 toteswinger Handicap.

Despite having won the Zetland Gold Cup over ten furlongs, there's plenty of proof to validate the theory that he's best at this afternoon's shorter trip of one mile.

Flipando is a rather hitand- miss character, but there was no disguising the promise of his recent staying-on fourth at Newcastle last time out.

Trainer David Barron has also secured the services of Jamie Spencer, a booking which has to be viewed in an extremely positive light.