Dunguib in fine fettle
Monday, 8 February 2010 14:29Dunguib is 'sound as a pound' after his latest demolition job in Sunday's Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Trainer Philip Fenton reported the Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite will now have 10 days rest before his preparation for Cheltenham begins.
Despite knocking a few hurdles flat in the Grade One heat, the seven-year-old does not have a scratch on him.
'He's absolutely fine. He ate most of his food last night and he's been in the field all morning, there's not a bother on him,' said Fenton.
'He won't have saddle on his back for 10 days now, he'll have a complete break.
'I believe we are due more frost so he might not have been doing much anyway.
'He might have hit nearly every hurdle yesterday but he's absolutely fine which is the main thing, there's not a scratch on him and he's sound as a pound.
'The fastest he was going in the race, the final hurdle, was the best he jumped so we'll just have to hope the fast pace at Cheltenham will improve his jumping.
'Brian (O'Connell) gave him a great ride, he was very cool on him.
'It was so important he didn't have a hard race yesterday. I didn't want him in the firing line in the back straight and getting there too soon, it was ideal though, other than his jumping.'
Dunguib is a standout even money chance with Ladbrokes for the Festival opener.
