Nicholson target for Labelthou
Emma Lavelle is leaning towards sending her stable flag-bearer Labelthou for the David Nicholson Mares Only Hurdle.
Although the Ladbrokes World Hurdle is also still an option, the Andover trainer is keen to provide herself with the best possible chance of landing her first ever Cheltenham Festival success.
“She was entered in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock this weekend but I felt that if I had to run her on faster ground, it would be better to save it for Cheltenham,” explained Lavelle.
“I hope we can get a bit of rain there to make it softer and the most likely target for her is the mares race.
“I would love to win a race at Cheltenham and that is the most realistic race, but we will have a crack at one or the other.”
Last year’s Rendlesham winner took a crashing fall over fences at Haydock and returned to the smaller obstacles to score stylishly at Ascot last month.
She is a best-priced 10-1 with Coral and Boylesports for the inaugural mares event.
