McCain happy with Navajo's preparation

Donald McCain reports Navajo Pass to be in tip-top shape ahead of the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday.

The juvenile championship on Gold Cup day is the target, despite the Cheshire trainer leaving the four-year-old in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, formerly known as the Fred Winter, at the six-day confirmation stage.

“He’s in good nick, we’re very happy with him. He had a gallop last week at Doncaster,” said McCain.

“We left him in the Fred Winter, but the aim has always been the Triumph. We don’t see any reason to waiver away from that at the moment.

“Touch wood, he’s in good form.”

A winner on the Flat, Navajo Pass took the Grade Two Summit Juvenile Hurdle at Doncaster in December to register his second success from three starts over jumps.