O'Connell to bid for Dunguib redemption

Philip Fenton insists Brian O’Connell will keep the ride on Dunguib at next month’s Punchestown Festival.

The conditional jockey came in for plenty of criticism after Dunguib finished third as the odds-on favourite in last week’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Fenton is pleased with how his stable star has come out of the race and is not ruling out a tilt at the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.

“Dunguib took his race at Cheltenham extremely well and the idea now is to head to Punchestown,” said Fenton.

“He will be given an entry in both the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle and the Rabobank Champion Hurdle.

“At the moment there is every chance that he will stay in novice company, but we will keep our cards close to our chest and take a close look at both races nearer the time before making any final decision.

“We just didn’t have the luck on the day at Cheltenham but we have to put up with it.

“Fair dues to the winner, who did it well, but we have to look forward to getting Dunguib back on track at Punchestown.

“Brian (O’Connell) will be back on the horse and he will make amends for what happened at Cheltenham.”