Donald McCain has warned punters that Peddlers Cross will not take his chance in the Victor Chandler Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso on Thursday if the ground is too heavy.

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The six-year-old has been in line for a Champion Hurdle prep for some time but has been forced to miss out for a number of different reasons.

After Haydock's Champion Hurdle Trial was abandoned due to frost he was found coughing before engagements at Sandown and Ffos Las and time is rapidly running out with the Cheltenham Festival, and the Champion Hurdle, now just four weeks away.

McCain has also entered his stable star for Wincanton's Kingwell Hurdle after explaining:  "He's not certain to go to Kelso just yet.

"I'd like to run but I certainly wouldn't run him in bottomless ground, that certainly wouldn't suit him.

"I might just decide to sit tight, we'll see. He's also in at Wincanton."

Peddlers Cross remains unbeaten over hurdles but will face his greatest test yet when he faces Binocular, Hurricane Fly and Menorah at the world’s greatest race meeting.