Dunguib may step up to three miles at Punchestown
Trainer Philip Fenton will enter the former Weatherbys Champion Bumper hero and dual Grade One hurdle winner in both championship events, but will not rush into a decision which race to go for.
The three-mile Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle is run on Thursday, May 5, with the Rabobank Champion Hurdle over two miles staged the following day.
“We were a little bit disappointed. He didn’t perform to his best, I’m sure,” said Fenton.
“He’s absolutely fine since and I think we’ll go to Punchestown next and he’ll be entered in both the two-mile and three-mile races.
“The step up in trip might suit him but I can’t see the point in taking on the likes of Hurricane Fly again.
“He looks a special horse and the second and third horses (Peddlers Cross and Oscar Whisky) are very good horses, too.
“We won’t make any hasty decisions.”
Meanwhile Kalahari King will bid for handsome consolation at Aintree in two weeks’ time following a fine effort in the Ryanair Chase.
Ferdy Murphy’s 10-year-old was runner-up to Albertas Run at Cheltenham last week and will now go for the John Smith’s Melling Chase, in which he only got as far as the second fence last April.
“He’s on course for the Melling and he has come out of Cheltenham in great form,” said Murphy. “He ran a great race in the Ryanair and has taken the race fantastic. We’ll probably meet Albertas Run again, but we’re looking forward to it.
“Our horse likes Aintree and won a Grade One there. This is his time of year and hopefully he’ll run another big race.”
The West Witton trainer has a more long-term target in mind for Divers after he won the Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Festival.
“Divers is finished for the season. He’s gone up 7lb in the weights and we wouldn’t want that to go up any more at this stage,” Murphy added.
“The next time you’ll see him will be in the Paddy Power Gold Cup back at Cheltenham in November.”
