Peddler's Cross cut for the Champion Hurdle after winning Fighting Fifth
Donald McCain’s Peddler’s Cross thrust himself firmly into the mix for the Champion Hurdle following an authoritative performance in the Fighting Fifth at Newbury this afternoon.
Taking on a small, yet select field, the five-year-old made the most of a strong pace, and held-off a late charge from Starluck to take the Grade One title, and maintain his unbeaten record.
The son of Oscar was slashed by
William Hill to 5-1 from 12-1 second-favourite for March’s Champion Hurdle, with Binocular maintaining his mantle at the head of the betting.
The Champion Hurdler – bereft of a seasonal opener like his winning rival – travelled well, but acquiesced to Donald McCain’s charge who was slashed to 5-1 from 12-1 for the Cheltenham highlight, with his runner-up Starluck into 16-1 from 25-1. Binocular – remains Hills’s favourite at 7-2 (from 11-4).
Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, said: ‘’We ride this rollercoaster with Binocular every season, and by Cheltenham-time he always comes good. Peddler’s Cross – clearly has maintained his momentum from last season, and even at this early stage it is threatening to look like an epic renewal of the Champion Hurdle.’’
Champion Hurdle 2011: 7-2 Binocular, 5-1 Hurricane Fly, Peddlers Cross, 8-1 Menorah, 10-1 Silvianaco Conti, Solwhit, 12-1 Dunguib, Khyber Kim, Rite of Passage, 14-1 Go Native, 16-1 Cue Card, Starluck, Quevega, Soldatino, 20-1 Blackstairmountain, Celestial Halo, Getmeoutofhere, Overturn, 25-1 Alavain, Mille Chief, Thousand Stars, Zaynar, 33-1 Aegean Dawn, Casual Conquest, Medermit, Punjabi, Voler la Vedette, 50-1 Carlito Brigante, Clerks Choice, 50-1 BAR (EW 1/4 1,2,3)
