Peddlers Cross heads Cheltenham Hurdle betting and is in peak condition according to McCain

The Cheltenham Festival gets under way on Tuesday and the big race of the day is the Champion Hurdle, where Peddlers Cross is among the favourites now that Binocular has been withdrawn.

Donald McCain’s horse boasts an unbeaten record and the trainer is delighted with how the preparation for the race has gone, with the son of Oscar having beaten Binocular this season.

“Touch wood, since Kelso, everything has been great,” said the Cholmondeley handler.

“He’s done a little bit of work this morning upsides and he looks good and seems well and happy. We’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed.

“I’m not going to say I wish Binocular was in the race, obviously, as it’s one less to take on. But at the same time, I wouldn’t have had any qualms about taking him on if he was in the race.

“I was a little bit worried about sending him to Kelso, but thankfully he has definitely gone the right way.

“He’s in tremendous form. I suppose in a way my work is done, but it doesn’t make you feel an awful lot better!”