Whiteoak's solid, says Don McCain

Trainer Don McCain expects to see a much-improved Whiteoak when she runs at the Cheltenham Festival.

The seven-year-old won the Grade 2 David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle in 2008 and will attempt to win the race for a second time on 16 March, having contested the Champion Hurdle last season.

But after landing a Listed race at Kempton in November, she has not shown her true form in two subsequent runs at Newbury and Ascot.

McCain said: "I made a mistake running her at Ascot in January. She was under the weather afterwards and I have been kicking myself.

"She had a few bumps and bruises and it was just too much to ask on heavy ground she hated. But she'll be much improved on better ground."

The trainer also confirmed that unbeaten Peddlers Cross will go for the Grade 1 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle on 17 March, rather the Spinal Research Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

"It's almost certain that the Neptune will be the race for him," added McCain.

"Cheltenham is not the be all and end all, though. He'll hopefully be around for years as a top-class chaser. We have to look after him."

Meanwhile, Paddy Power will refund all losing bets on the Supreme Novices' Hurdle if the Philip Fenton-trained Dunguib wins the 2m4f Festival opener.

Billed as one of the bankers for the Festival, Dunguib is the firm's ante-post 4-6 favourite.

The offer applies only to win singles and the win part of each-way singles placed.