Hat-trick hero highlights Phantom House form

PHANTOM HOUSE was in the winner’s circle once more today as Aquilifer completed a superb hat-trick at Lingfield.

The skills of the yard and trainer William Jarvis have been highlighted over the past three weeks by the three-year-old gelding who has now really got to grips with what’s required of him.

The completion of Aquilifer’s three-timer ensured that the stable very much maintained its current ‘in-form’ profile.

It’s now five winners from 15 runners in 2011 to keep that strike-rate at an exceptional 33 per cent mark.

William has really been rewarded for his patience with Aquilifer, who took a while for the penny to drop. His two-year-old campaign was relatively low-key but he has been making up for lost time in January.

January 5 saw him strike at Lingfield and he was back there a fortnight later to win again.

Not even dropping back to 7f from 1m could inconvenience him this afternoon as he made it three-from three this month on the Surrey all-weather track.

Jockey Shane Kelly has built up a really good understanding with the horse who was never far away in this afternoon’s contest.

Kelly picked him up with over a furlong to go and it was soon clear that it was once again going to be Aquilifer’s day.

He strode on in good style to secure a 7/4 triumph by a length and three-quarters, despite shouldering a 6lb penalty.

William said: “I am delighted for Aquilifer’s owner John Kelsey-Fry and the horse has been a good early-season advertisement for us all at Phantom House.

“It is difficult to win three on the trot and while that’s all credit to the horse and his rider, it also reflects what a very good job the team here have done with him.”