Mullins Poised To Unleash Pedro

County Hurdle winner Pedrobob could develop into an Arkle Trophy contender, according to Tony Mullins.

The lightly-raced nine-year-old is all set to start a career over fences as soon as the ground eases.

'Pedrobob is ready. He hasn't jumped a fence yet but the idea is to go chasing,' said Mullins.

'He will school the minute there is some soft ground, he has popped the baby fences on the all-weather.

'He's won on all types of ground but I wouldn't start off any novice on firm ground, if he ends up being a fast ground horse that's fine ? I just wouldn't start him off on it.

'The two men who had ridden him before Cheltenham were Ruby Walsh and Davy Russell. But he's very straightforward, Philip Carberry only saw him for the first time of the morning of the race at Cheltenham so I don't think I'll have a problem getting a jockey.

'He's a top-class handicapper who hasn't proved himself in graded class ? he's at the crossroads.

'At the moment we are hoping he will turn into an Arkle horse because even though he is big there is a lot of speed there.

'It's amazing he could handle those big handicaps because he didn't make his debut until he was seven, so he's still lightly-raced.'

(C) PA Sport