Donald McCain hopes to learn more about the potential Cheltenham Festival target for Peddlers Cross by running him at Musselburgh next week.

The 2011 Champion Hurdle runner-up failed to reach the same heights over fences last season and connections stated their intentions to switch back to the smaller obstacles at the start of the current campaign.

The eight-year-old made his belated seasonal reappearance in a 'jumpers' bumper' on the all-weather at Kempton last month and was not disgraced in finishing second to a talented sort in Sam Winner.

Peddlers Cross is entered in the Champion Hurdle and the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham, and his target is likely to become more clear next week when he runs over an intermediate distance in the Howies Restaurants Edinburgh Hurdle Race.

"He's grand and the plan is for him to go to Musselburgh next week," said McCain.

"We were just waiting for confirmation of the conditions as it was an interactive race. Now they have confirmed it we'll aim that way with him. It's over two miles and six furlongs and it should certainly give us a good idea about where we're going with him."

Another McCain inmate with Cheltenham aspirations is Super Duty, who was nailed on the line by the unbeaten Goulanes in the Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.

He is entered in both the Jewson Novices' Chase and the RSA Chase at Prestbury Park, while McCain may also consider a handicap option, depending on how the assessor views his latest performance.

"It's obviously a sickener to get caught on the line but we know he wants better ground and, all in all, it was a very positive run," said the trainer.

"I think we are planning to go to Cheltenham with him, but I'm not sure which race he'll run in at the moment. We'll see how he is and then make a plan."

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests