The Ladbroke Hurdle favourite Knife Edge is still on course for the Leopardstown contest despite slipping badly on landing over the final flight in the AIB AgriBusiness December Festival at the track on Wednesday.
The Michael O'Brien-trained four-year-old looked booked for second place behind Istabraq when he sprawled and came to a virtual halt. In the end he finished sixth of seven runners. "He seems all right and is still on course for the Ladbroke," O'Brien said. "We just walked him out today and there doesn't appear to be any problems so far." Immediately after the race, Knife Edge was promoted to 7 to 1 favourite from 12 to 1 for the Ladbroke by the sponsors and O'Brien added: "He's on 9st 11lb but I understand Theatreworld is going to run so his weight will go up to 10st 7lb. Tom Rudd will ride again."
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