PHILIP Hobbs has another smart one on his hands.
His Sporting John (6-4) trounced Grade 2 winner Master Debonair in the opener at Ascot to set up a tilt at the Festival.
Only four went in the Thames Materials Novices’ Hurdle, but it had a strong feel to it and the winner was cut into 12-1 for the Ballymore.
Colin Tizzard’s Master Debonair cut out the running, but a couple of messy jumps on the second circuit meant Barry Geraghty could move up on his mount.
As they turned into the Ascot straight, he kicked on – and despite showing some signs of inexperience – he bounded clear and put the race to bed with ease.
Master Debonair the 5-4 favourite could only manage third, with Nicky Henderson’s Pipesmoker a steady second.
Hobbs said: “That was nice, he did that well in the end, I’m delighted.
“I think he’s got plenty of pace for two but he stays two-and-a-half easily so the options are open to say the least.
“He thought the ground was plenty soft enough for him but he still saw it out very well.
“His first starts were all at Exeter and it will do him some good to come here.
“My gut says he needs two-and-a-half, but JP of course has Chantry House and we’ll see about the Festival.
“Whatever he does now is a bonus as he’s going to make a lovely chaser down the line.”
Geraghty was at Ascot for the one ride and he was a happy man despite Storm Dennis blowing a hooley.
He smiled: “Look he’s a lovely prospect, he was still a bit green there but he’s got a bright future.
“He was in good company there and couldn’t have done much more.
“He falls into the same sort of category as Chantry House and it’s nice to have them two of them for the novice races at the Festival.”
