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Bleu returns for Knight

Edredon Bleu faces a stiff test over hurdles at Kempton today, with Henrietta Knight admitting she would be "very surprised if…

Mon Jan 31 2005 - 00:00

Edredon Bleu faces a stiff test over hurdles at Kempton today, with Henrietta Knight admitting she would be "very surprised if he won".

The 13-year-old faces 17 rivals in the CiSTM Racing Club Novices' Hurdle at the Sunbury track, in what will be his first run over hurdles in eight years.

Knight is keen on getting an outing into the popular veteran as he continues his build-up to the Daily Telegraph Festival Trophy Chase in March.

"I would think that he has quite a task on his hands, and I hope he will run well, but would be very surprised if he won," said the Wantage handler. "It is impossible to find a race for him, and I had to do something with him before Cheltenham."

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Edredon Bleu was last seen in action when a disappointing 10th in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day, and he was also a little lacklustre on his previous start at Exeter in November.

Martin Pipe's Manx Royal, twice a winner this season, heads the field for the two mile and five furlong contest.

Venetia Williams' Mr President, who has also won two races this season, could well go off favourite, with Charlie Mann's impressive Ludlow winner Bagan another of the possible market leaders.

Paul Carberry was seen at his cheekiest when successful aboard Loyal Focus in the juvenile hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday. The half-brother to Dermot Weld's Triumph Hurdle winner Rare Holiday was well supported down to 6 to 4 favourite on his jumping debut, and made smooth progress to move alongside chief market rival Majlis early in the straight.

Carberry was still ultra-confident after the last, hardly moving a muscle as the gelding eased to the front in the final strides to score by a short-head.

"The plan was to win and not be too hard on him, and that was a very confident ride," said Weld with a wry grin. "I told Paul not to attack until after the last and, when he gets better ground, he'll be a nice horse to follow. He'll have one more run in a conditions hurdle and then we'll decide where he fits in. The new four-year-old handicap hurdle at Cheltenham could be on the agenda."