Peddlers team on weather watch

Peddlers Cross is not a definite runner at Haydock on Saturday due to trainer Donald McCain’s concerns about testing conditions.

Last season’s Champion Hurdle runner-up has made a fine start to his career over fences, winning twice at Bangor without being troubled.

McCain still hopes to run his stable-star for a third time this weekend – in the Maxilead Metals Supports The Injured Jockeys Fund Novices’ Chase – but is unsure whether a run in heavy ground would be the right thing to do at this stage of the season.

“He’s in great nick and Jason (Maguire) schooled him this morning and everything went grand,” said McCain.

“The intention is for him to run at the moment, but the ground is heavy and there is more rain forecast, so I couldn’t say it’s a 100% certain he’ll go.

“We want to run him but we have to think whether there is anything to be gained.

“It’s good we’ve got a couple of runs into him already. We’d like to get a third run, but we’ll just play it by ear.

“There isn’t much for him between now and Kempton at Christmas, so we’ll see.”

Haydock clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright is at least hopeful the meeting will beat the weather.

He said: “The ground is heavy but we’re fit to race at the moment.

“There is plenty of rain forecast for this week but as long as we don’t get biblical proportions, hopefully we’ll be all right.

“I don’t think we have any frost worries – it’s the rain that looks the challenge.

“I’d be quietly confident we’ll be racing.”