Snow Laughing Matter For Drever Camp

Inglis Drever's participation in the Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday could be scuppered by snow.

Heavy downfalls in County Durham left trainer Howard Johnson uncertain the two-time World Hurdle winner will line up at Prestbury Park.

Already without his stable jockey Denis O'Regan, banned for his miscalculation aboard Harringay at Fakenham a week ago, the trainer has been interrupted with preparations for his string which include other major Festival hopes like Tidal Bay and Striking Article.

However, Coral have made Inglis Drever, the dual Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner, the 6-4 favourite for Saturday's Grade Two.

'I haven't done anything about a jockey as we are struggling badly with the snow,' said Johnson.

'The gallops are covered and when the snow goes it could all be washed away.

'We've had three, four, five inches of snow here and with all the weather we've been having, I haven't been able to do anything with the horses since last week.'

One who has been busier of late is Labelthou, a game winner at Ascot on Saturday, who was also among the 18-strong field.

'She's absolutely fine and is entered for the Cleeve Hurdle on Saturday which would be a possibility if she's all right,' said trainer Emma Lavelle.

'Otherwise she'll go for the Rendlesham back at Haydock next month.

'She's so tough and she's a good mare on soft ground.

'She just puts her down and gallops. She's so determined and on that sort of ground it takes a good one to get past her,' the trainer told At The Races.

Alan King's Blazing Bailey, who beat Inglis Drever in the race a year ago, is also entered along with Wichita Lineman and the in-form Lough Derg.

(C) PA Sport