Connections mull over Dunguib options Connections of Dunguib will discuss whether to pitch their exciting prospect straight into Grade One company or run him in a winners-of-one race following his facile debut success over hurdles. The Weatherbys Champion Bumper hero made the transition to jumps look effortless as he won hard-held at Galway on Sunday. Paddy Power left Dunguib's price for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival unchanged at 5-2. Trainer Philip Fenton and owner Daniel Harnett will have to decide whether to go for the Grade One Bar One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse on November 29th, or keep a lower profile at Punchestown two weeks earlier. "It was very satisfactory," said the County Tipperary handler. "He jumped well, but he wasn't a natural jumper to begin with. He had lots of schooling done over a variety of obstacles. "He just seemed to respect the hurdles when he was jumping them so we had him over logs, over tyres and over mini fences and the penny dropped with him. "His next race will either be the Royal Bond or a winners-of-one race at Punchestown. It will be one or the other. I will chat with the owner about that." Amateur Brian O'Connell has partnered Dunguib in all six races so far, and Fenton sees no reason to change a winning partnership - while revealing the jockey could turn professional. "He rides him well and has done a lot of schooling on him. There's a possibility Brian will turn professional in a short time," Fenton added. Fenton is not ruling out the possibility of Dunguib tackling the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, but admits his stable star is more likely to stick to novice company. "He might have two runs up to Christmas, then have an easy three weeks, and then maybe have one run before Cheltenham," Fenton told At The Races. "Let's see, but I suppose the whole thing with novices is to stick to novice races, rather than pitch him in at the deep end. "He may have an entry in the Champion Hurdle but I would say the best thing to do would be to stick to novices for this season. "It depends how it goes but if his jumping was excellent we would definitely have a look at it."
