Irish have Festival banker already
3.12.2009
There were few more impressive winners at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival than Ireland's Dunguib, who absolutely bolted up by 10 lengths in the Festival Bumper, and is now attracting plenty of interest from the professional horse racing tips.
Philip Fenton's six-year-old left 23 rivals for dead despite encountering the fastest ground conditions he had ever experienced. Even then, there were those from the 'Emerald Isle' who were already crowing that this horse was a machine and would be back next year to scoop another big prize at the expense of the Brits.
Now it seems that the Irish confidence was not in any way misplaced, and after Wednesday's rout of his rivals in the rescheduled Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse, there are many across the Irish Sea who have already doubled their Xmas present allowance, being absolutely convinced that Dunguib will not be beaten on his return visit to Cheltenham.
The imposing son of Presenting never looked in any danger at Fairyhouse and has made it three from three over timber. The big question now is whether he will run in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle (for which he is as short as 2/1 in the ante-post lists) or have a crack at the Champion Hurdle itself, where he is currently on offer at a best price of 16/1.
Fenton has already given a strong hint that his stable star will stay with the 'easier' option, but should their remain no outstanding candidate for the Champion Hurdle another two months down the road to Cheltenham, then the temptation to take their chance with Dunguib in the big league might prove irresistible.
16/1 is a big price for a horse who has only just begun to reveal quite how talented he is. If he wins another couple of times before March, Dunguib might easily emerge as one of the favourites for the big race itself and those that availed themselves of the current odds could be sitting very pretty indeed.
Please Email Us with your suggestions for future betting articles.
