Lavelle Considers Sandown Options Christmas Hurdle runner-up Self Defense is poised to line up in the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday. Trainer Emma Lavelle left the nine-year-old and stablemate Cloudy Grey in the Listed contest at the five-day declaration stage and is likely to give both the chance to shine - even though Self Defense must now carry top weight following Lingo´s withdrawal. Lavelle said: 'We have left Self Defense in and we will see how he is at the end of the week, but he seems in good heart and it is more likely at the moment that he´ll run than not. 'I think Cloudy Grey will run unless he does something to himself between now and the weekend.' Lavelle will be without stable jockey Barry Fenton for the race after the rider suffered fractures to his cheek and nose in a fall at Plumpton on Sunday. The Wildhern-based handler told the Racing Post: 'At this stage I don´t know who will ride, but Cloudy Grey is the kind of horse you would need to sit on before riding him in a race so it is something I will have to start thinking about.'? PA Sport
