Hurdling plan for Bleu

Cappa Bleu is to go novice hurdling to gain more racing experience following his fall in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury last month.

Trainer Evan Williams believes last season's Christies Foxhunter Chase winner is lacking the know how to be competitive.

"He was a bit shell-shocked after his fall," said the Llancarfan handler.

"He's fine in all ways and there are no problems whatsoever. I do feel the fall was a result of inexperience.

"I had been concerned about that and we got found out, taking on a great horse like Denman galloping around Newbury.

"We'll lower our sights a little bit and go novice hurdling. I think it would help the horse enormously from an experience point of view for a season and get him to start to enjoy the game again.

"He won't run in any of the big handicap chases. We might look at one in the spring, but we're going to start him back over hurdles.

"He needs to get his confidence back."