Supreme chance for O'Connell :: Horse Racing News

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00:50 Friday 10th February 2012

Updated: 15th March 2010

Supreme chance for O'Connell

PA News

Jockey Brian O'Connell has described Spinal Research Supreme Novices' Hurdle hotpot Dunguib as a "once in a lifetime horse" ahead of the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival.

O'Connell was in the saddle for Dunguib's ultra-impressive Champion Bumper success 12 months ago when he was still an amateur, but turned professional before his mount won the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle in December.

"I only turned pro this season and to be riding him, well, he's a once in a lifetime horse, you could spend your whole career looking for a horse like this. I have had a few outside rides this season, but Dunguib winning would certainly be a big boost to my career," said O'Connell.

"The nerves are OK at the moment. It helps that I've ridden him in all of his races, I ride him out at home so I know him very well. The experience of last year in the bumper can only help him and the fact that he is a year older, too.

"He feels a bit stronger this year. He's seven now so he's probably done all his growing, but he has maybe matured a bit. I'm sure there'll be plenty of excitement there with it being the first race and he can get worked up, but being over there last year must help him so I think he'll be OK."

Trainer Philip Fenton has been pleased with his pride and joy in the run up to the race and said: "Everything has gone just fine with him. We've kept him away from the track on purpose because he is a bit excitable, we've had him stabled at Jim Wilson's.

"He did his final half-speed on Thursday and of course it is very exciting to be heading to the first race of the meeting with the hot favourite. We've not had the slightest little problem with him, we wouldn't have declared him otherwise, no setbacks or anything."

Dunguib will face 17 rivals, with the most notable withdrawals at the declaration stage being Bellvano, Peddlers Cross and Rite Of Passage, with all three having other options. With Dunguib such a short price=, there are some fancy prices for some highly-regarded youngsters, and Oscar Whisky falls into that bracket.

"He has a lot of ability but probably lacks experience," said trainer Nicky Henderson. "He is a bonny sort of horse who goes about his business really professionally. He won very easily at Sandown last time and I think he has a very realistic chance.

"It takes a good novice to win the totesport Trophy so you have to respect Get Me Out Of Here and I think Dunguib has scared a lot off to the two-and-a-half-mile race (Neptune Investment). If there is any chink in Dunguib then it is an open race and I remember a 1-14 favourite (Zaynar) who got beaten recently, so it can happen!"