Oak could tackle stayers at Punchestown Donald McCain is pondering stepping Whiteoak up in trip at Punchestown. The trainer was delighted to see her bounce back to form with a fine effort in sixth in Saturday's Aintree Hurdle. She failed to get really competitive in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and could now step up to three miles at the Punchestown Festival. "We were really happy as she ran a lot better and I do think there is more improvement in her," said McCain. "We missed the early part of the season and then we had to come out and throw her in at the deep end. "She did nothing wrong at Aintree and we might now run her in the stayers' race at Punchestown. I don't think she qualifies for the mares' race and can't see us going back to two miles now, so the three-miler looks the race for her if we decide to go."
