Evergreen Edredon set to give his rivals the blues
Henrietta Knight’s 12-year-old goes in search of a third successive victory in the Grade Two contest but faces a tough test against the likes of reigning two-mile champion Azertyuiop.
However, ‘Blue’ gets 5lb from the Paul Nicholls-trained top-weight and he can make it count against a rival who may just need the run on what is only the starting point on the road back to the Festival.
Edredon Bleu went on to enjoy a dream season after his triumph over Wahiba Sands 12 months ago in a race in which Azertyuiop was sent off favourite only to unseat Ruby Walsh at the first fence.
Ms Knight’s ace travelled to Ireland to lower the colours of Beef Or Salmon at Clonmel and there could not have been a dry eye in the house when he then stormed to success in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.
He had only one more run after that, at Wincanton in February, with his trainer perhaps wisely opting to miss the big meetings at Cheltenham and Aintree.
He goes well fresh and his bold-jumping style looks sure to take him very close if all the old enthusiasm is there.
Ditcheat handler Nicholls can get a win on the board on what is a cracking card through Sporazene in the williamhillcasino.com Novices’ Chase.
A leading performer over timber last season, the five-year-old shapes as though he is going to take high rank over the bigger obstacles, too.
There was little to fault in his debut success over this course and distance last month and he can further enhance his Arkle Trophy claims today.
The highly promising Fox In The Box can have punters in clover in the williamhillpoker.com Handicap Chase.
Robert Alner’s grey has raced only twice over fences so far. Having been unextended in a novice chase at Uttoxeter last November he did not return to the track again until Chepstow in April, where he again won well.
Alner regards the strapping seven-year-old as a future Grand National horse and he certainly looks the type to have a lot more improvement in him.
Horses with a liking for testing ground are useful tools at this time of year, and Paris Bell should find it to his liking in the Thomas Darley Nursery at Catterick.
