Vedette handed World target

Voler La Vedette is to head for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham without another racecourse appearance.

Connections of the eight-year-old mare have decided against giving her a prep run in the Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle at Navan on Sunday, which she won 12 months ago.

Trainer Colm Murphy outlined the plan after speaking to Voler La Vedette’s owners.

“I’ve had a chat with the owners and we’ve decided she won’t run at the weekend. She’ll go straight to Cheltenham for the World Hurdle,” said Murphy.

“We’ll just keep her ticking over now. She seems in great form and I’m very happy with her.

“It’s more than likely she’ll go for the World Hurdle, not the (David Nicholson) Mares’ Hurdle.”

Voler La Vedette has enjoyed a successful campaign so far, winning her first three races of the winter, including the Grade One Hatton’s Grace Hurdle before suffering defeat against Zaidpour in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park last month.