Charlton to double up for Kelso Hurdle

GEORGE Charlton is likely to be double-handed in the totepool Premier Kelso Hurdle on Saturday, a race he has won twice in the last three years.

Bywell Beau took the spoils in 2007, while smart chaser Knockara Beau landed the prize 12 months ago. Charlton will this time run the four-year-old Melange, who has twice run respectably behind Cheltenham-bound Carlito Brigante, and Sunarri. The Northumberland handler said: "Melange has gone up 5lb for not running but that's the way the cookie crumbles, his form is working out well. I think he's good, he'll need more than two miles in time and he'll make a chaser.

"Last time out he knocked the last flight out of the ground and put a hole in his shin which is why he hasn't run since. If he runs well we might run him in the Fred Winter, I sold half a share in him and the other owners are keen.

"Sunarri will make a nice horse in time, he's just learning the game at the minute and he's got less experience than Melange. He needs putting in front right on the line."

Meanwhile, Dunguib is "absolutely bouncing" ahead of his date with destiny in the Spinal Research Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in a fortnight's time.

Dunguib is rated one of the bankers of the Festival and the biggest price available is 4-5.

Philip Fenton has categorically ruled out an attempt on the Champion Hurdle this year and issued a warning to his rivals that he believes Dunguib was below his best when winning the Deloitte Novice Hurdle on the bridle. "For some reason at Leopardstown, of course we were satisfied that he won, we just felt he wasn't as good as he could have been but he certainly is at the moment, he's absolutely bouncing," said Fenton.