Stay Away Fay 5-1 favourite for Brown Advisory after defending unbeaten record over fences at Sandown
Giovinco #Giovinco
Last season’s Albert Bartlett winner Stay Away Fay doubled his tally over fences when staying on best to beat Giovinco in the Grade 2 Esher Novices’ Chase at Sandown.
Coral trimmed the Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old to 5-1 favourite (from 6) for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after he found plenty in the home straight under Harry Cobden to fend off his main market rival, who travelled strongly into the race.
It proved to be a dramatic race when The Changing Man unseated Brendan Powell, who came close to producing a miraculous sit to stay on board, and the loose horse interfered with the front two.
Cobden told Racing TV: “The Brown Advisory would be right up his street, they go a good old gallop and it would suit him.
“He’d definitely jump slicker and quicker in behind. He was a bit up in the air there as he had so much time when he got to his obstacles. There’s a lot of improvement to come from him.
“It was a good rattle over the last three fences, both horses jumped great and were very tough. I’d probably say we just outstayed him. He’s a proper hardened horse.”
Stay Away Fay: clears a fence on the way to a second win in his novice chase campaignCredit: Mark Cranham
Nicholls said Stay Away Fay would have one more run before Cheltenham with the Cotswold Chase, out of novice company, and Reynoldstown among potential options.
“I won’t rush to run him and he won’t go to Kempton [for the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase],” the trainer said. “He’ll have a break now and I could look at the Cotswold Chase which would be a tough option. The other race, which is in my mind, is the Reynoldstown at Ascot which could suit him.”
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