Bleu misses Lanzarote date

Sud Bleu, one of the favourites for Saturday’s Tote Scoop6 Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton, will miss the race.

Paul Nicholls’ six-year-old was available at a best-priced 7-1 for the handicap feature but the Ditcheat handler has decided to wait for Cheltenham a week later with the gelding.

The Ditcheat handler will now rely upon the progressive Perouse, who has won three races this season, at Kempton.

Nicholls’ assistant trainer, Jeremy Young, told the Daily Mirror: “There is a two-mile race at Cheltenham on January 24 for him and it would be silly to run two horses against each other if there are other options.

“But Perouse is in good form and Ruby Walsh will take the ride.”