Ferguson hoping flat speed can help Broughton to triumph
The four-year-old counts a Glorious Goodwood handicap among his three wins on the level for Mark Johnston and has made a fine start to his hurdling career with John Ferguson.
Beaten just a head on his debut in a Doncaster Grade Two, he recorded a five-length triumph in Listed company at Musselburgh last time and Ferguson is more than satisfied with his preparations as he seeks a first Festival winner.
“He’s been working well and I’m delighted with him,” said the Suffolk handler.
“He obviously ran well at Doncaster first time to finish second in a Grade Two and then ran well again to win a Listed race at Musselburgh.
“He appears to be in good shape and has been doing everything right at home.
“He loves jumping his hurdles and was a good horse on the Flat, so it’s fingers crossed.”
John Quinn won the race in 2012 with Countrywide Flame and fields two fancied runners in Pearl Castle and Rutherglen.
Pearl Castle has won two of his three starts over hurdles, with his most recent victory coming under a penalty at Doncaster last month on ground that was probably a touch softer than ideal for a dual Flat winner.
Rutherglen is three from three over hurdles and rounded off his Festival preparations with victory in a jumpers’ bumper at Kempton, beating Clerk’s Choice, who was beaten 12 lengths in the Coral Cup on Wednesday.
Quinn said: “The ground will be fine for both of them. They are both likeable horses and they will have to improve a bit, but that’s not to say they won’t.
“Pearl Castle will appreciate the better ground, I wouldn’t have run him on soft ground.
“He’s done nothing wrong and it was a good bit softer than he would have liked last time and he still won under a penalty.
“Rutherglen is very tough, which is a good quality to have. He’s done nothing wrong either, he’s won three times and I’m happy with both of them.”
Calipto has long been towards the head of the betting, with two Newbury wins, including a comprehensive dismissal of subsequent Adonis winner Activial, on his CV.
Trainer Paul Nicholls said: “He won an all-aged hurdle with a 10lb penalty at Newbury and he couldn’t do more than he has done so far.
“He jumps and travels well. He’s not a Flat-bred horse and hasn’t run on the Flat but he’s a nice horse and he goes there with a chance.”
Guitar Pete won the Grade One Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown last time and he clashes again with Tiger Roll and Plinth, who filled the minor places that day.
He also finished behind the re-opposing Royal Irish Hussar at Cheltenham back in November but trainer Dessie Hughes believes he is a better horse now.
“He maybe hasn’t got the credit he deserved. He was beat the first day, won at Listowel and then went to Cheltenham, but I think he’s improved since then,” said Hughes.
Gordon Elliott has no qualms about taking on Guitar Pete again but is unsure how his charge will measure up against the rest of the field.
The County Meath trainer said: “Tiger Roll is a horse that doesn’t do a lot at home but the couple of runs that we have given him have been very good.
“You would certainly like it if he had a bit more experience for a race like the Triumph Hurdle but I’d say he’s not a bad horse.
“I wouldn’t be afraid to be taking on Guitar Pete who beat him at Leopardstown the last day again, but I don’t know about the rest of them.
“I think he could be the best of the Irish.”
