 Dunguib, here with Brian O'Connell, has produced some excellent runs |
Leading Irish fancy Dunguib is a confirmed entry for the opening race at the Cheltenham Festival next Tuesday, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. There had been speculation the Philip Fenton-trained seven-year-old might line up in the Champion Hurdle. But he was not among the 17 remaining entries for the opening-day highlight. Quevaga, favourite for the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle, was another taken out of the Champion Hurdle at the six-day forfeit stage on Wednesday. All the market leaders stand their ground, although doubts surround the participation of Solwhit and Binocular. Dunguib could have a maximum 23 rivals to face in the Spinal Research Supreme Novices' Hurdle, as 34 remain in the reckoning for the opening race of the festival. Get Me Out Of Here, Oscar Whisky and Rite Of Passage are others in the mix.  | 606: DEBATE |
Meanwhile, Tataniano was the most notable absentee from the acceptors for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy Chase. The Paul Nicholls-trained chaser had been a best-priced 16-1 for the two-mile novices' championship. He still has an entry in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase on the Friday of the Festival. The 17 horses to stand their ground for the Arkle on Wednesday were headed by market leaders Captain Cee Bee, Somersby, Sizing Europe and Riverside Theatre. Nicholls has left in Woolcombe Folly, while Willie Mullins has a trio of possibles - Sports Line, Shakervilz and Quiscover Fontaine. As expected, Long Run, who tops the betting for the RSA Chase, was taken out of the Arkle, with connections favouring the longer trip for the exciting novice chaser.
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