Cheltenham Festival: Peddlers Cross tipped to hit form in World Hurdle
DAY three of the Cheltenham Festival can see Peddlers Cross return to his glory days with victory in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
While this afternoon might not have the pure quality of the other three days at Prestbury Park, it is no less competitive.
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WELL FANCIED: Peddlers Cross.
That is because the absence of Big Buck's makes the World Hurdle a betting event again and considering that in terms of ability he is the best horse in the race, Peddlers Cross is overpriced.
Last year was a write-off for Donald McCain's (above right) charge as a fencing career failed to get off the ground, and he was well beaten in the Jewson Novices' Chase.
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But if a line is put through that whole episode, it bears remembering that he was a formerly a top-class hurdler, winning the Neptune in 2010 and finding only an in-form Hurricane Fly too good in the Champion Hurdle the following year.
It is quite logical to think both Peddlers Cross and Hurricane Fly had a very hard race that day, as neither were the same last year.
Peddlers Cross returned to action with a promising run in a 'jumper's bumper' in January and while he did not please every onlooker at Musselburgh last month, connections declared themselves perfectly satisfied.
McCain is adamant the horse works as well now as he has ever done and it could be he is the forgotten horse of the entire meeting.
Cue Card can provide Colin and Joe Tizzard with another Grade One win in the Ryanair Chase.
The only horse to come remotely close to giving Sprinter Sacre a race over fences when second to him in last year's Arkle, he has looked a very good horse this season – apart from when he failed to stay three miles in the King George.
Last time out he won a Grade One at Ascot over this trip of two-miles-five and while some may say Captain Chris would have given him a fright if not for a mistake at the second last, Joe Tizzard said he had yet to go through the gears.
Already a Festival winner, we know he acts on the undulating track and while he has dominated from the front in the past, he can also be dropped in and ridden for speed.
Tom George has had a terrific season and a Festival win for Module in the Jewson Novices' Chase can top it off.
Paddy Brennan's (left) face lights up when he talks about this six-year-old and rates him as his best chance of the entire meeting.
He won a handicap hurdle on his debut for the yard and despite falling on his chasing bow this season, he barely came off the bridle in beating Colour Squadron at Newbury and followed up at Leicester.
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