Geos goes on Champion trial

Smurfit Champion Hurdle second favourite Geos is set to put his Cheltenham claims on the line in the Agfa Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson's charge is one of 12 entries for the two-mile contest, along with other possible contenders for Festival honours, Hors La Loi III, Hitman and Ben Ewar.

Henderson said yesterday: "I will work Geos in the morning but Sandown is the plan for him. He's fine, he's got to run in a race somewhere and this looks a decent opportunity. Serenus will run, too, I would think."

Geos is 6 to 1 second favourite behind three-times winner Istabraq for the Champion.

Stablemate Landing Light is "in good form" after his exertions at the weekend and remains firmly on course for the Tote Gold Trophy - a race Henderson has won twice in the past three years - at Newbury on Saturday week, for which he is the 7 to 2 favourite with the sponsors.

"He's got a good racing weight but it is a tough race," Henderson commented. "As for the Champion Hurdle, he's still got 2st to find to be good enough."

Officials at Newcastle are hoping that the forecast of milder weather is correct to allow tomorrow's meeting at Gosforth Park to go ahead. Although 90 per cent of the track is frost-free there is a patch down the far side of the course that is causing concern.