Donald McCain happy to risk record at Cheltenham

Mar 16 2010

Donald McCain could not be happier with Peddlers Cross as he puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

The five-year-old won a relatively low-key event on his hurdling debut at Bangor but showed his class when annihilating a Grade Two field at Haydock next time.

McCain concedes his charge faces an even stiffer task at Prestbury Park but is hopeful he will be up to the task.

"We expected the ground to be decent, which is why we favoured the longer race over the Supreme," said McCain.

"We think he'll handle it fine and he seems in really great nick.

"Everything has gone well in his preparation and it just a case of whether he's good enough on the day now.

"I don't think one horse in particular stands out and there are a lot of good horses in the race.

"Our fellow has done nothing wrong and deserves his chance, so we just have to hope for a bit of luck in running on the day."

Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins saddled Mikael D'Haguenet to take the prize 12 months ago and is this time represented by last year's Champion Bumper fourth Quel Esprit.

"He's travelled over well and seems to have settled in nicely, so we'll see what happens," said Mullins.

"The drying ground wouldn't be ideal for him but he's good form and deserves his chance."

A total of 17 runners have been declared for the two-mile-five-furlong contest, with Nicky Henderson's Finian's Rainbow and the Nick Williams-trained Challow Hurdle winner Reve De Sivola leading contenders.

The latter's trainer Nick Williams said: "He's absolutely flying. He's done well and is supremely consistent and the whole season has been geared round this race.

"He's slightly the forgotten horse of the race, I think."