BLEU MISSES GAME SPIRIT

Edredon Bleu is set to miss Saturday`s Mitsubishi Shogun Game Spirit Chase at Newbury, trainer Henrietta Knight announced today.

The gelding will go straight to Cheltenham to try and repeat last year`s victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

And stablemate Lord Noelie is another who will not have a run before the Festival and will bypass the Aon Chase on the same Newbury card.

Miss Knight said: 'Edredon Bleu will go straight to Cheltenham because of the heavy ground. There are no races for him to go for between now and the Festival.

'Lord Noelie will also go straight to the Festival.'

Miss Knight also had news of novice chaser Be My Manager, unbeaten in two starts over fences this term.

She said: 'Be My Manager will go for a handicap at the Festival and will not run in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

'He seems to be a well-handicapped horse.'

However, Chives, who had looked a good prospect when winning novice hurdles at Taunton and Kempton, will missthe rest of the campaign.

'Chives is out for the season with a tendon problem,' Miss Knight explained.

'Hopefully he`ll be back next season where we will aim him at the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.'