Galleywood Hurdle winner Big Blue to take on best in UK debut

Trainer Ciaron Maher says he cannot fault Australian hurdler Big Blue ahead of his big assignment at Cheltenham despite being thrown in the deep end in his United Kingdom debut.

Ciaron Maher concedes he had little choice but to throw Big Blue in at the deep end when the gelding tackles some of Ireland and England’s finest jumpers at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Rated a 50-1 outsider in the 10-horse contest, Big Blue will start in the $270,000 Group 2 International Hurdle (3400m).

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Winner of the Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool in May and last year’s ATC St Leger at Randwick, Big Blue has pleased Maher since arriving in England.

“I am happy with Big Blue. He has been here for around a month now,” Maher said.

“He had another schooling session in Lambourn last week and we were pleased with him.

“Whilst the International Hurdle isn't the easiest race to start off in, the handicapper hasn't given him a rating, so we have to start off in conditions events.

Trainer Ciaron Maher has high expectations for Big Blue in his England debut.

“I would have preferred a slightly easier contest, but we are looking forward to seeing how he gets on.”

Big Blue follows a Cheltenham pathway blazed by Australian gallopers Specular and Zabenz.

Specular was bought by leading Irish owner John “JP” McManus and ran ninth in the 2004 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

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The 2002 Grand National Hurdle winner, Zabenz won a Group 1 steeplechase in the US before transferring to Somerset trainer Philip Hobbs.

Zabenz contested five races at Cheltenham without winning.

Big Blue’s strongest opposition on Saturday is likely to come from Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten jumper Pentland Hills and decorated performers such as Ch’tibello and Elixir De Nutz.

Originally published as Galleywood Hurdle winner Big Blue to take on best in UK debut