McCain looking for Cross answers

Donald McCain has admitted that he felt "devastated" by the poor performance of Peddlers Cross in last week's World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The 2011 Champion Hurdle winner had looked on his way back to form with a confidence-boosting victory at Musselburgh on his previous start, but was always struggling in the World Hurdle, eventually being pulled up by Jason Maguire before two out.

"We're doing some tests on him this week so see where we are," said McCain.

"You won't need me to tell you that Jason was never really happy with him at any stage.

"He was the one who really disappointed me last week. I was devastated. If I'd thought for one minute he would do that, I would never have sent him.

"He didn't do anything in the race and he was a little bit wobbly afterwards. That's why we're doing what we're doing.

"There was no sign of any of that at Musselburgh, so he's gone away and we'll see if we can find anything. Everything seemed to be going to plan so for him to run like that was a bit of a shock."

McCain reflected upon a week where his runners enjoyed "a bit of everything", handicappers Our Mick and Super Duty both going close to giving the stable a Festival success, while other big hopes such as Overturn and Cinders And Ashers under-performed.

"The horses that ran on the Tuesday cantered for the first time this morning having had a few easy days and they all seem fine," he said.

"With Overturn it was just the ground. I walked in on the Saturday night after racing at Chepstow and I knew our chance had gone, but when the first race was run in such a fast time I sort of got my hopes up again.

"He made the mistake he did because he couldn't get out of the ground and after that Jason looked after him, but as I said he's fine and he could well go to Aintree. We just hope we get some nice ground for him.

"Cinders And Ashes was very disappointing. We thought everything was right with him again going into the race but evidently it wasn't.

"Super Duty did everything but win and I was thrilled with him. He could go to Aintree too, although we'll probably go back to novice company and run him in the three-miler."

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