Fenton raises possibility of handicap option for Dunguib
The County Tipperary handler hopes to glean more when his stable star makes a belated reappearance in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park on February 12.
That race over two and a half miles will be the longest distance the multiple Grade One winner has tried.
Fenton wants to get a prep into the 2009 Weatherbys Champion Bumper hero as he is running out of time before Cheltenham after poor blood results forced Dunguib to miss the BHP Insurances Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.
“The last tests we have had done have come back normal. We did have him on the easy list, he wasn’t doing any strong work but he was cantering every day,” he told At The Races.
“We are beginning to panic a bit but the idea is to go to Gowran in two weeks for the Red Mills over two and a half. That will be the furthest he’s ever raced. It was two-miles-two before that.
“He has recovered and he’s working well, so we’ll go for the Red Mills Hurdle.
“The form of the Supreme Novices’ has worked out well that’s for sure, but whether it is Champion Hurdle form is another question to be answered on the day.
“All along we’ve had great belief in this horse and if his work isn’t as good as it could be or should be we could always rethink and maybe have an entry in the Coral Cup.
“He’ll have to run well in the Red Mills before we decide what his next race will be.”
Meanwhile Gordon Elliott reports Beautiful Sound unlikely to take his chance in the rearranged Connolly’s Red Mills Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park tomorrow.
The lightly-raced nine-year-old has won two of his three starts this winter and the County Meath trainer is thinking of saving the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding for a spring campaign.
“I’ll have to talk it over with owners, but at the moment I think we might give it a miss,” Elliott told At The Races.
“He’s a big, lean horse and we’ll freshen him up for another couple of weeks. He could be a horse for the staying handicap chases later in the year.”
However, Elliott intends running Tharawaat in the P J Foley Memorial EBF Novice Chase at that meeting.
“He’s going for the race that was called off last weekend. He’s in good nick and hopefully he can run a big race,” he added.
Colm Murphy is hoping Big Zeb can continue his build-up to Cheltenham without a hitch when he tackles the boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown on Sunday.
Last season’s Queen Mother Champion chase hero took this prize on the way to Festival glory in 2010 and has won both his starts so far this term, beating old rival Golden Silver on each occasion.
“He seems good and we’re very happy with him,” the County Wexford trainer told At The Races.
“Touch wood all goes well. A lot of emphasis has been put on how good his jumping is and so I hope he doesn’t make a little mistake. We’re delighted the way he has progressed.
“He’s beaten Golden Silver on every occasion so fingers crossed we get the run of the race and it works out. We’re hoping first for a clear round.
“They’re giving the ground as soft and I don’t think there’s much rain forecast. He’s been on that ground before so it shouldn’t be a worry.”
