Bleu Et Rouge primed for big run at Ascot Bleu Et Rouge looks a live contender for champion trainer Willie Mullins in the Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday. The JP McManus-owned grey was campaigned over fences last term but finished down the field on his return to action in a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse. "Bleu Et Rouge was a bit disappointing on his first run back, but hopefully he will have come on for the run," said McManus's racing manager Frank Berry. "Willie's been happy with him at home since." Fellow Irish hopeful Top Othe Ra looked good when winning at Down Royal and Punchestown last month, before flopping at Fairyhouse on his latest start. However, his trainer Tom Mullins believes the reason for that was the horse swallowing a lot of turf that was thrown up. "He got a lot of kick-back down his throat on the day at Fairyhouse and I'm just putting that run down to that. I'm hoping I can draw a line through it. He's been in good form since," said the County Kilenny handler. "He'd won his two previous races in good style and the horses that finished around him were there at Fairyhouse, so I'm going with that."
