Conditional jockey Eddie Callaghan was yesterday promised the biggest mount of his life on Dato Star in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle. The 23-year-old, who only lost his claim last month, is currently sidelined and missed partnering the seven-yearold to a 20-length victory in the Haydock Park Champion Hurdle Trial on Saturday. But Malcolm Jefferson stressed there is no question of Lorcan Wyer, who deputised on Saturday, keeping the ride in the Champion Hurdle for which Dato Star is now second favourite on some lists.
"Eddie Callaghan was injured yesterday but he will definitely get back on the horse," the trainer said. "He is the stable-jockey."
"Lorcan gave him a lovely ride yesterday but Dato Star is just that, a lovely ride." But Jefferson had a word of warning for anyone tempted to back Dato Star, who is currently quoted as short as 6 to 1 for the Champion Hurdle.
"The ground is a big thing for him and he will only run at Cheltenham if it is genuinely good jumping ground," he said.
"And the softer the better. Some horses need soft ground as it slows the others down but he just loves the soft."
Relkeel yesterday remained on course for Cheltenham despite his heavy defeat on Saturday. He has been given a clean bill of health by his trainer, David Nicholson, who said: "He will still run in the Champion Hurdle - where else can he go? - and I doubt he will have another run beforehand."
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