RACING NEWS:DUNGUIB IS set to be the headline act at Sunday week's triple Grade One fixture at Fairyhouse when the bumper champion attempts to maintain his unbeaten record over jumps.
The overwhelming favourite for Cheltenham’s Supreme Novices Hurdle has made such an impression in two starts over flights already he is also being quoted for this season’s Champion Hurdle.
However, he will attempt to make it three from three in the €85,000 Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, for which he is already being quoted as a 4 to 9 favourite by the sponsors.
Amateur jockey Brian O’Connell will maintain his partnership with Dunguib next week, and trainer Philip Fenton is hopeful a strong pace will contribute to his stable star’s performance.
“He was a bit keen the last day at Punchestown but he should relax better with more pace,” the Co Tipperary trainer said yesterday. “Fairyhouse will be a big step up for him, but I don’t think the ground will be as heavy as it was at Punchestown so that shouldn’t be a concern.
“He will stay at two miles as he has plenty of pace,” Fenton added.
Dunguib’s old rival from last season, Sweeps Hill, who was subsequently promoted to first at Punchestown when the Fenton runner was disqualified for a prohibited substance, is on track to take him on again.
Tom Taaffe is targeting a first Grade One start for his Coral Cup winner Ninetieth Minute in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle on the same Fairyhouse card. The gelding finished third to Aitmatov on his first start of the season at Navan in the Lismullen Hurdle.
“I was happy with him at Navan where he ran a very good race in very testing ground,” Taaffe said. “I loved the way he stayed on as he will be better for the run, so we will find out how good he is in the Hatton’s Grace.”
