Dunguib set to return in Irish Champion Hurdle

DUNGUIB is likely to make his reappearance in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday week rather than in the Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas on Saturday.

Trainer Philip Fenton believes the extra week’s preparation will benefit the 2009 Weatherbys Champion Bumper winner for his first run back after being badly held up by the cold snap.

“He’s very unlikely to run on Saturday. It looks like he will go to Leopardstown on Sunday week instead,” said the County Tipperary trainer.

“He’s in good form and I’m very happy with him, but it just gives us an extra week to get a bit more work into him.

“We were held up by the weather, otherwise he’d have gone to Naas. We had three weeks of frost and snow. That’s why or else we’d have been happy to run on Saturday.

“I’m sure it would have been easier than going to Leopardstown. If we finish within 10 lengths of Hurricane Fly I’m sure we’ll be satisfied.”