William’s progress report

THERE may be no Phantom House runners this week, but that is largely down to the fact that all eyes are firmly fixed on the start of the Turf season, which is now just three weeks away.

Most of the yards in town are busy preparing for the ‘grass’ rather than firing bullets on the all-weather and Phantom House is no different.

He reported: “I am just stepping up the work for the older horses and we’ve now had a few days using Warren Hill ‘grass’ which has been nice for us.

“Unfortunately, the Al Bahathri polytrack has been closed for essential maintenance work for the last 10 days but we will be looking forward to getting the horses down there soon – as well as the odd trip or two over to Racecourse Side.

“On the whole I am more than happy with the way the horses seem to be. The two-year-olds are progressing nicely and the older horses – especially Oriental Scot and Rock A Doodle Doo are pleasing me.”

On the social front, the Cheltenham Festival is looming and that means William’s annual trip down to the Cotswolds on the opening day, next Tuesday.

He will have more interest than most in the day’s big race, the Champion Hurdle, as former Phantom House inmate Clerk’s Choice runs for Michael Banks.

The association with Phantom House doesn’t stop there, either, as the yard’s regular work-rider Michael Tebbutt has been heavily involved in the horse’s big-race preparations.

Willam said: “Tebbs has been playing a big part in getting Clerk’s Choice ready for the big day and he says that with every bit of work the horse has improved.

“I really believe Clerk’s Choice has an each-way chance in what is a typically competitive Champion Hurdle.”