McCain revels in Cross victory

Cheltenham Festival — day two review

IF any further proof be needed that Donald McCain jnr is set to join training’s big league, then Peddlers Cross underlined the point in spades on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

Since taking over the training reins from his father four seasons ago, McCain has made giant strides with the number and quality of the horses in his care.

Festival successes with Cloudy Lane and Whiteoak suggested here was a young trainer going places, but victory for Peddlers Cross in the Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle yesterday raised his profile to a new and much higher level.

The big English and Irish stables had representatives in this Grade One event, but Peddlers Cross readily brushed aside the opposition under stable jockey Jason Maguire.

Challenging at the final hurdle, he saw off Reve De Sivola and favourite Rite Of Passage in the manner of a top-class performer.

Like Tuesday’s Supreme Novice Hurdle winner, Menorah, he looks sure to be a contender for next year’s Champion Hurdle as McCain is likely to resist the temptation to send him steeplechasing.

“He is a machine,” said the jubilant Cheshire trainer. “Today was the first time he had come off the bridle and he ran with the choke out for the first mile.

“He is a real enthusiast and has loads of speed. We had thought about going chasing with him next season, but Jason said why go chasing when he has so much speed?”


MASTER Minded’s bid to emulate Badsworth Boy by winning a third successive Queen Mother Champion Chase ended in bitter disappointment.

Never travelling with his usual fluency and lugging right, he trailed in fourth and I suspect tests may reveal a minor injury.

Take nothing away from the winner, Big Zeb, though.

The Irish raider was clearly travelling best from some way out and put the race to bed quite quickly when asked to go about his business by Barry Geraghty.

Another Irish horse, Forpadydeplaster was an honourable second, while Kalahari King fared best of the English in third despite being outpaced for much of the two-mile contest.



ANOTHER bubble was burst when Long Run could finish only third to Weapons Amnesty in the RSA Chase.

Nicky Henderson’s French import had looked a superstar when winning at Kempton and Warwick, but even though he travelled and jumped well enough throughout yesterday’s contest, he had no answer when the winner swept by in the home straight.

He lost second place to stable companion Burton Port close home, while stable companion Punchestowns — who was sent off favourite — could finish only fifth after ripping off a shoe.


KATIE Walsh, sister of top jockey Ruby, rode her first Festival winner when steering Ferdy Murphy’s Poker De Sivola to victory in the National Hunt Chase and big brother was also on the mark when the gambled-on Sanctuaire bolted up in the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle.

It was Ruby’s 26th Cheltenham winner — a Festival record.


NICKY Henderson gained some consolation for the eclipse of Long Run and Punchestowns when Spirit River landed the Coral Cup, while racing ended on a shock note when Joe Tizzard’s mount, Cue Card, cruised to a 40-1 success in the Champion Bumper.