Caim Hill will have to be thrown in at the deep end.

Byline: PHILIP FENTON 

POSTED AT 1.45PM 21 NOVEMBER 2009 ANYBODY watching us riding out this morning must have thought we were mad. The rain was desperate, yet by lunchtime the sun was shining and the day had become fine.

With the chases at Gowran Park being called off last Thursday we've been left with no option but to let Caim Hill take his chance in next Sunday's Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase.

He'll be taking on the best novice chasers around, and they're very strong opposition, but the trip will suit and at least he's guaranteed a true run race.

I'd be happy for him and Dunguib if the ground came up genuinely soft, or even good to soft at Fairyhouse. Neither needs it like a bog.

Dunguib is continuing to surprise me. He has come out of Punchestown even better than he came out of Galway. The extra week we gave him, missing the For Auction at Navan, has really been to his advantage and he's just in absolutely terrific form.

I left plenty in the tank before Punchestown so I can tell you he is going to be improved next time you see him in the Royal Bond. He'll probably work up here at Glenbower with Caim Hill on Wednesday as their last piece of work.

However, fitness is only half the battle with Dunguib. You have to look after his mind too, as he worries.

When you put him up in the box for the first time in a season he'll worry terribly. He's getting better, though, and whenever we've nothing else on we'll pop him up into the box and take him for a drive around. Nowhere in particular, just long enough for him to settle and realise it's okay.

Woodbine Willie, on the other hand, has no such condition; he's pretty straightforward and is also still raring to go.