Labelthou handed World assignment

Labelthou is to take on the crack stayers in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham next week.

Connections of the in-form mare, who also holds an entry in the Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle and the Coral Cup, decided to go for glory because of the prospect of soft ground.

“I had a good chat with the owners this morning and I think we are going to aim her at the World Hurdle,” said trainer Emma Lavelle.

“We mulled it over and overall I think more horses are probably going to be inconvenienced by the soft/heavy ground in that sort of race than maybe in the novice.

“She is very well and the plan will be to have a go at the World Hurdle. The field will be a bit smaller.

“She seems in good form so we may as well have a crack at it.”

The French-bred eight-year-old has won four of her last five starts culminating in the Grade Two Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock in testing conditions.

Labelthou has attracted plenty of support in the World Hurdle in the last couple of days and is 12-1 with the sponsors.