World Hurdle: Voler La Vedette in line for Big Buck's showdown

News / Timeform / 13 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Can Voler La Vedette serve it up to Big Buck's?

""It's more than likely she'll go for the World Hurdle, not the (David Nicholson) Mares' Hurdle."

Voler La Vedette is to head for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham without another racecourse appearance.

Connections of the eight-year-old mare, who has a Timeform master rating 23 lb inferior to that of Big Buck's, have decided against giving her a prep run in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan on Sunday, which she won 12 months ago.

Many would have thought Voler La Vedette was heading toward a Festival clash with Quevega in the Mares' Hurdle (she currently trades as [4.4] second favourite), but trainer Colm Murphy outlined the plan after speaking to the horse' owners.

"I've had a chat with the owners and we've decided she won't run at the weekend. She'll go straight to Cheltenham for the World Hurdle," said Murphy.

"We'll just keep her ticking over now. She seems in great form and I'm very happy with her.

"It's more than likely she'll go for the World Hurdle, not the (David Nicholson) Mares' Hurdle."

Voler La Vedette has enjoyed a successful campaign so far, winning her first three races of the winter, including the Grade 1 Hatton's Grace Hurdle (in which she equalled her highest Timeform figure of 153) before suffering defeat against Zaidpour in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park last month.

Voler La Vedette is currently trading at [110.0] for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham next month.

Prix de 'Arc de Triomphe winner Danedream is likely to start off her season with a run at home in late spring before trainer Peter Schiergen plots serious European targets......

Sponsors Betfair have made entry to Newbury's rescheduled meeting on Friday free to all racegoers......

French-bred Quel Esprit gave Willie Mullins his eighth Grade 1 Hennessy Gold Cup success when making all under Ruby Walsh in the Leopardstown showpiece on Sunday....

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Cheltenham News: Murphy upbeat on Vedette

The Cheltenham Festival / Timeform / 05 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Voler la Vedette will have two options at Cheltenham.

"She's entered in the World Hurdle and she'll have an entry in the mares' race..."

Colm Murphy feels Voler La Vedette is better than she showed in defeat behind Zaidpour at Gowran last time out...

The mare, rated 153 by Timeform, had previously gained her first Grade One win in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse, before winning over Christmas at Leopardstown.

She was sent off odds-on to beat Zaidpour, but Ruby Walsh rode a canny race from the front and held a length advantage at the line.

However, Murphy said: "She ran too free the last day and she paid the penalty.

"If the race was run again we'd be hoping for a different result but she's come out of it well and we're happy with her.

"Early on she used to be very keen but she gives herself a chance now, that has helped her reach her potential and we've been delighted with her.

"She's entered in the World Hurdle and she'll have an entry in the mares' race (at Cheltenham) but there's a lot of water to pass under the bridge before then. We haven't ruled either of them out," he told At The Races.

Voler la Vedette can currently be backed at [5.7] for the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle and [110.0] for the World Hurdle.

Current champion chaser Sizing Europe defeated former champion Big Zeb in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown......

Connections of Binocular will have to go back to the drawing board after the abandonment of Saturday's card at Sandown......

The two dominant forces in the two-mile chase division are due to clash in Sunday's Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown......

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Cheltenham News: Murphy upbeat on Vedette

The Cheltenham Festival / Timeform / 05 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Voler la Vedette will have two options at Cheltenham.

"She's entered in the World Hurdle and she'll have an entry in the mares' race..."

Colm Murphy feels Voler La Vedette is better than she showed in defeat behind Zaidpour at Gowran last time out...

The mare, rated 153 by Timeform, had previously gained her first Grade One win in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse, before winning over Christmas at Leopardstown.

She was sent off odds-on to beat Zaidpour, but Ruby Walsh rode a canny race from the front and held a length advantage at the line.

However, Murphy said: "She ran too free the last day and she paid the penalty.

"If the race was run again we'd be hoping for a different result but she's come out of it well and we're happy with her.

"Early on she used to be very keen but she gives herself a chance now, that has helped her reach her potential and we've been delighted with her.

"She's entered in the World Hurdle and she'll have an entry in the mares' race (at Cheltenham) but there's a lot of water to pass under the bridge before then. We haven't ruled either of them out," he told At The Races.

Voler la Vedette can currently be backed at [5.7] for the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle and [110.0] for the World Hurdle.

Current champion chaser Sizing Europe defeated former champion Big Zeb in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown......

Connections of Binocular will have to go back to the drawing board after the abandonment of Saturday's card at Sandown......

The two dominant forces in the two-mile chase division are due to clash in Sunday's Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown......

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