Carberry booked by O`Brien

Paul Carberry has been booked for two of the leading Irish raiders at next week`s Cheltenham Festival.

Carberry, champion jockey-elect , will be on Knife Edge for Michael O`Brien in the Queen Mother Champion Chase on the Wednesday, and also Paddy Mullins`s Tender Cove in the JCB Triumph Hurdle the following day.

Knife Edge, who is as short as 6 to 1 for the Champion Chase with Coral, has been ridden in all his starts over fences by Tom Rudd but O`Brien explained: 'Tom does not have the experience at the Festival, having only ridden Knife Edge in the Triumph Hurdle.

'The Queen Mother is a specialist race and you want a man with experience.

'Carberry is riding at the top of his form - he`s the top man in Ireland this season and it`s a one-off booking for this particular race.'

Knife Edge completed a four-timer at Naas at the end of last month, accounting for Over The Furze by half a length on very heavy ground.

Tender Cove is generally a 16 to 1 shot for the Triumphand came home nicely in front in a schooling hurdle at Punchestown yesterday.

Dermot Weld`s Direct Bearing, a winner on his only outing over jumps at Leopardstown under Tony McCoy, finished upsides in his schooling hurdle and was confirmed a definite runner in one of the novice hurdles at Cheltenham.

On his Smurfit Champion Hurdle possible Ansar, Weld added: 'Ansar is still a possible for the Champion. The owners are keen to run if it is good ground.'