Champion Hurdle: Cinders And Ashes to start in Fighting Fifth

Cinders and Ashes will be targeted at the Champion Hurdle

Last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Cinders And Ashes will begin his campaign in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on December 1...

Trained by Donald McCain, the five-year-old won four of his five starts over timber, culminating in the Cheltenham Festival opener.

He is owned by Dermot Hanafin and Phil Cunningham, who are looking forward to seeing him back in action.

"Dermot went to see him the other day and said he looked absolutely fantastic," said Cunningham, who also owned dual 2000 Guineas hero Cockney Rebel.

"He said he looks a much bigger and meaner machine this year whereas last year he was quite lean. He definitely starts out in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, weather permitting.

"If they still had the bonus for the Christmas Hurdle and then the Champion Hurdle his season would map itself out, but we'll just aim for the Fighting Fifth first and take it from there.

"Whenever I go up to Donald's they take the mickey out of me for being a Flat boy, but that thrill at Cheltenham was incredible."

Cinders And Ashes currently trades at 13.012/1 in the Champion Hurdle ante-post market.

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