Halford Happy With Hurdle Hope

Michael Halford believes Golden Cross has 'good credentials' for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham tomorrow.

The seven-year-old, the mount of top Flat jockey Johnny Murtagh, will be tackling three miles for the first time in the stayers' championship.

However, he successfully stepped up to two miles, seven furlongs at Navan on his latest start a month ago.

He has also mixed it with the best over two miles, winning a Grade One at odds of 66-1 in December 2003 and beaten only five lengths into third place behind Brave Inca and Macs Joy in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January.

Brave Inca and Macs Joy franked the form by finishing first and second respectively in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle on the first day of the Festival yesterday.

'The race tomorrow will take a lot of winning I'm sure,' Halford told Racing UK.

'He's got good credentials ? he stays well, he ran well when third in the Grade One Irish Champion Hurdle behind Brave Inca and Macs Joy and the form was advertised yesterday.

'He stayed well at Navan and we're looking forward to it.

'I wouldn't want the ground to get any faster then good. I was glad to see a drop of rain yesterday. Slower than good would suit us better.

'He's in great form and he's really looking forward to it.

'Johnny knows the horse well ? he's won two Flat races on him. He's got on great jumping with him too and we're delighted to have him.

'As for dangers, I imagine the three I'd pick would be Baracouda, My Way De Solzen and Mighty Man.

'But I'm happy with our fellow and we're sure he'll give a good account of himself.'

(C) PA Sport