PEDDLERS CROSS LOOKS POTENTIAL STAR

March 5 2010

McCain - impressed with Peddlers Cross.

Donald McCain's Peddlers Cross maintained his unbeaten record with a breathtaking display in the sportingbet.com Novices' Hurdle at Haydock.

Following impressive wins in a bumper at this venue and on his hurdling debut at Bangor, the five-year-old put his three rivals to the sword in this Grade Two contest and the result was scarcely in doubt.

Sent straight to the head of affairs by Jason Maguire, he jumped faultlessly throughout and stretched away from his toiling rivals in the straight to pass the post 16 lengths ahead of Scriptwriter.

"God that was impressive wasn't it?" said a delighted McCain.

"I've always thought a lot of this horse but I didn't come here expecting a performance like that and Jason was very impressed.

"We didn't really want to make the running as he can be a bit keen but in fairness he settled nicely and has done it so well.

"You'd like to think he'd be good enough for Cheltenham now but he is an ex point-to-pointer and we are still learning about him.

"I'd imagine he'll have an entry in the Supreme and the two-and-a-half-miler and we'll get home and decide what to do between now and then.

"I was actually thinking he'd need to step up in trip but after that, I'm not so sure now."

Sky Bet make Peddlers Cross a 16-1 chance for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and 16-1 for the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle over the added distance.

It was an extra special success for the trainer as he was registering his 50th success of the campaign.

"It's great and it's credit to everyone in the yard who has been working really hard," McCain added.