Last year’s star novice Dunguib returned to winning ways at Gowran today, winning the Red Mills Trial Hurdle in workmanlike style.

Ridden by Brian O’Connell, the son of Presenting got the better of Luska Lad before the final flight, eventually staying on well for a three and a half lengths win.

Afterwards winning trainer Philip Fenton stated “I’m very pleased with that on a number of counts. Firstly it was good to get his first run of the season under his belt.

“Secondly, he was an extremely sick horse five or six weeks ago and while he recovered from his infection (which resulted in a bad blood count) each week we were seeing improvement in him. We were lucky today’s race was put back as I’ve been much happier with him in the last ten days.”

“It was great not to have too hard a race today and it was just what he needed. He settled after a few hurdles today and his jumping improved as the pace increased and he was slick over the last three flights.”

“We’ll go straight for the Champion Hurdle now and today will keep the dream alive for another while!”

Ladbrokes left Dunguib unchanged at 14/1 for the Champion Hurdle while Brian O’Connell ‘rode out his claim’ for a second time, having partnered his 60th winner, the magic number having recently been increased from 55.

Thomas Weekes