Dunguib gets Champion entry

Brilliant novice Dunguib has been given a precautionary entry in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Although trainer Philip Fenton insists the Supreme Novices' Hurdle is still the planned objective for his stable star, he feels it best to have the Champion as an option.

He is likely to be seen next in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on February 7 and is 5-4 favourite for the Supreme Novices' with Paddy Power.

Following the news that Dunguib will be among the entries for the Champion Hurdle, announced on Wednesday, the bookmaker quotes Fenton's charge as 4-1 favourite with a run, ahead of such established stars at Zaynar, Solwhit, Go Native and title-holder Punjabi.

"He's had an entry in the Champion Hurdle and we will take it step by step," said Fenton.

"We will see how Leopardstown goes, but the Supreme is without doubt the main objective.

"But as a precaution he's in the Champion and we will decide closer to the day and see what happens in the meantime.

The County Tipperary trainer is to give Dunguib some much needed exercise tomorrow.

"Dunguib will go some place tomorrow away from home for some work," he went on.

"He doesn't take a huge amount of work and it will be a half-speed, but obviously a bit more than at home.

"He missed a bit of work over the three weeks of Christmas but he's been ticking over and I think that he's on track for the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on February 7.

"There is the paddypower.com Johnstown Novice Hurdle at Naas on February 21 if we need it if it so happens that he doesn't make Leopardstown."