Dunguib

Whyno

Brilliant novice Dunguib has been given an entry in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Although trainer Philip Fenton insists the Supreme Novices' Hurdle is still the planned objective for his stable star, he feels it best to have the Champion as an option.

Dunguib is likely to be seen next in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on February 7.

Following the news that he will be among the entries for the Champion Hurdle, announced on Wednesday, bookmakers Paddy Power quote him as 4-1 favourite with a run, ahead of such established stars at Zaynar, Solwhit, Go Native and title-holder Punjabi.

"He's had an entry in the Champion Hurdle and we will take it step by step," said Fenton.

"We will see how Leopardstown goes, but the Supreme is without doubt the main objective. But as a precaution he's in the Champion and we will decide closer to the day and see what happens in the meantime.

"Dunguib will go some place tomorrow away from home for some work. He doesn't take a huge amount of work and it will be a half-speed, but obviously a bit more than at home.

"He missed a bit of work over the three weeks of Christmas, but he's been ticking over and I think he's on track for the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on February 7.

"There is the Johnstown Novice Hurdle at Naas on February 21 if we need it, if it so happens that he doesn't make Leopardstown."

Taken from ATR website.... Whether he runs or not 4/1 with a run is a poor price for a novice.

Colonel Sanders

I think he could well go for it if he wins the Deloitte hurdle impressively. Even with a run 4/1 wouldn't be for me. How in god's name could you justify a novice who, although was a top bumper horse and is unbeaten over hurdles, hasn't exactly beaten much over hurdles

Morgans

"We are all still 100 percent set on the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

"The only thing that will change our minds is if it becomes an easier target than it is now, but there's no way we're going to be taking on the good horses we could beup against right at this moment."

All a little silly. The form of the novices before christmas took a proper knocking at Leopardstown. Love to see him win as easy as he did last year, but have to say that at the prices he is one to take on in the Supreme not to mind the Champion.

Whyno

Morgans wrote: »

"We are all still 100 percent set on the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

"The only thing that will change our minds is if it becomes an easier target than it is now, but there's no way we're going to be taking on the good horses we could beup against right at this moment."

All a little silly. The form of the novices before christmas took a proper knocking at Leopardstown. Love to see him win as easy as he did last year, but have to say that at the prices he is one to take on in the Supreme not to mind the Champion.

Id rather find something to place behind him than take him on to be honest.

Voeur La Vedette injured and not running sunday and celestial halo has just been entered this sunday. Should make up into a nice race and will give us a clear picture as to the challenge of Solwhit for the big one in march.

Colonel Sanders

Dunguib is unbeaten since his first run (ignoring his Punchestown DQ) but the form of most of the horses he's beat is reasonably suspect. Quel Esprit & Shinrock Paddy look leading lights for the longer novice hurdles but the likes of some present & sweeps hill have let the side down badly since promising starts over hurdles. Rite of passage progressed on the flat but has yet to jump a hurdle in Public

Basically what I'm saying is that it would be no surprise if Dunguib ends up the highest rated novice hurdler at the end of the year but looking at the novice form so far I can't say that too many of the top older hurdlers will be shaking in their boots (yet) at facing any of the others

If Dunguib lined up in the champion and started favourite he would be a lay of biblical proportions

aidan24326

Whyno wrote: »

Taken from ATR website.... Whether he runs or not 4/1 with a run is a poor price for a novice.

4/1 is a shocking price for the champion hurdle. But the way he's progressing he looks the likely winner of the supreme novice. I know the form of some of his races has taken a knock, but you can do no more than beat what's put in front of you and he's been doing that with minimum effort. He does look a great prospect.

Whyno

Another turn up of the form with punjabi being beaten by medermit today.
Oh lord let us have an Irish champion hurdle run to form tomorrow please.

Oh yeah and que nulty for braggin re:medermit:D