| Jason Maguire with Peddlers Cross, Randy Rann |
It’s taking a bit of a chance to back him now before his reappearance in the Fighting Fifth but the 14/1 about Peddlers Cross for the Champion Hurdle is worth taking.
He was a most convincing winner of the Neptune Novices Hurdle over 2 mile 5 furlong at the Cheltenham Festival in March. I can see him ‘doing an Istabraq’ and successfully coming back in trip to triumph over 2 miles in the Blue Riband for hurdlers.
At Cheltenham, he had the field well strung out. He came under pressure after the second last as they rounded the turn but he really dug deep and stayed on well up the hill. Clearly, Cheltenham suits him and he has a great blend of speed and stamina. Jockey Jason Maguire has referred to this horse’s speed which should be noted given this horse is a Grade 1 winner over 2m 5f. He remains unbeaten so who knows how good he can be?
There is lots of potential opposition not least the favourite Binocular but for a horse who’s really difficult to predict 3/1 is a skinny price. Plenty of others are open to improvement but Peddlers Cross will improve too from what is already a high standard.
Donald McCain is full of confidence regarding his stable star’s prospects this season. He should go well in the Fighting Fifth and then perhaps the Christmas Hurdle before going back to Cheltenham in March.
Take the 14/1 before he runs and hopefully wins (the only danger is the weather!) on Saturday.
Recommended bet: 1 point ew Peddlers Cross 14/1 – Generally – Champion Hurdle
