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Cheltenham Festival 2011 |
cheltenham festival / 2011 news /
By Billy Blakeman ValueChecker
Dunguib to Return at Naas
03/01/11
Dunguib still has the Champion Hurdle as his target although trainer Philip Fenton has warned that the Limestone lad Hurdle at Naas on January 15 might come a little soon for his stable star; the weather having interrupted his preparation.
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Speaking to At The Races, Fenton said; "He's in great form. We took him to Leopardstown on Thursday. He went two miles round there and did a nice sensible gallop. He's on track, but we're not sure if he's ready for the Limestone Lad Hurdle as we got delayed a bit by the weather. He's been on the go for quite a while but even so he could have done with a racecourse gallop possibly three weeks ago rather than last Thursday.
"We got delayed by the snow and it was pretty frosty with temperatures down to minus 10C and 11C. We lost a bit of headway even though he was exercising and we've not missed a day. All we were doing was breaking the trot and cantering but that's all. We'll have to get the results before we can look at the Champion Hurdle. It depends on his performance on his way whether we go for that. It was the target at the start of year and as long as he does himself justice, the Champion Hurdle is still the target.
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle form is working out pretty well with Oscar Whisky (fourth) winning yesterday and Menorah (winner) couldn't have advertised it any better. The form is holding up very well. The Limestone Lad Hurdle is two miles three and Cheltenham would be a tough two miles and I'm sure it's the equivalent of two and a half miles any place else. If it so happens we have to step him up in trip we will go in that direction."
Dunguib is currently 20/1 for the Champion Hurdle with
