Doumen raids Sandown

Francois Doumen sends three of his Cheltenham Festival possibles to Sandown tomorrow.

Smurfit Champion Hurdle hopeful Bilboa runs in the Agfa Hurdle, The Queen Mother`s Kelami bids to book his place in the JCB Triumph Hurdle with a bold show in the Ripley Juvenile Novices` Hurdle and Royal & SunAlliance Novices` Hurdle entry Laveron goes for the February Novices` Hurdle.

Leading Champion Hurdle contender Landing Light was a surprise absentee from the Agfa Hurdle for which Bilboa heads a field of five.

Bilboa has finished runner-up in all her five starts this season, the latest when beaten two and a half lengths by Nicky Henderson`s charge in the Pertemps Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

'She`s in good form and she needs this race to end up at Cheltenham spot on,' said Doumen.

'Teeatral won the race last year and he is solid opposition,' added the French trainer.

Doumen is concerned about the prospect of soft ground for Royal runner Kelami, who was a promising second to Green Ideal on his debut at Newbury in December.

He said: 'Kelami is in good form. It is a second test to see if it is worthwhile going to the Festival or not. Both he and Laveron finished second last time and they can only improve from that.

'I`m not sure if Kelami would appreciate the soft ground he`s going to meet or not. I don`t know, it`s a question mark.

'He`ll go for the Triumph Hurdle next if he runs well tomorrow.'

Doumen had news of his stable star First Gold, who was ruled out of the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup earlier this week because of a leg injury.

'We`ll look after First Gold and he`ll be back next season,' he added.

The Martin Pipe-trained pair Carlovent and Galant Moss head a field of 14 in the Stg£50,000 Tote Scoop6 Sandown Handicap Hurdle, the most valuable race at the Esher course tomorrow.