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Feb 8, 2010

Henderson salutes Dunguib

Nicky Henderson admitted on Monday he is not relishing the prospect of trying to lower the colours of Dunguib at Cheltenham next month.

Philip Fenton's stable star is odds-on in most places for the Spinal Research Supreme Novices' Hurdle, the opening race of the 2010 Festival, after stretching his unbeaten record in great style at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Lambourn trainer Henderson is keen on his Bellvano and Oscar Whisky but rates Dunguib as "frightening".

He said on Monday: "We'll see how Bellvano and Oscar Whisky work in the morning and take it from there. They are both trying to get ready to tackle Dunguib, but I can't say I liked what I saw yesterday - he was pretty frightening.

"I think they are two very good novices and are definitely two-mile novices. I would think one would run at Newbury and one at Ascot the following week, but I've got others in the race as well. I haven't had a chance to look at all the entries yet.

"In a normal year I'd think I had two of the best novices and I'd be fancying my chances. There is no point in ducking him (Dunguib) at Cheltenham, but I think a lot of people might do. I've got General Miller too, but I'm keen not to throw him at it as I don't think he's ready for it.

"Oscar Whisky and Bellvano are very professional and they know what they are up to, but as far as Dunguib is concerned there doesn't seem to be a chink.

"An awful lot of things can happen between now and Cheltenham, but I sincerely hope from Philip's point of view they don't.

"I'm not going to frightened away by him, but I'm certainly frightened of him."

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