Racing: Edredon takes direct route to Tingle Creek

DIRECT ROUTE and Edredon Bleu are set for a rematch in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday week. The pair, separated by two and a half lengths when first and second respectively last year, were among eight entries for the Grade One contest.

They could be joined by Or Royal and Celibate. Henrietta Knight, Edredon Bleu's trainer, had warned she wanted to space out Edredon Bleu's races after his victory in the Peterborough Chase over an extended two and a half miles at Huntingdon last Saturday. But the trainer said: "At the moment he is a definite runner at Sandown if the ground stays good. He has come out of the Peterborough Chase very well - better than last year - and he is really perky. Going back in trip at Sandown won't be a problem as it is a stiff two miles."

Howard Johnson's Direct Route will be 10lb better off with Paul Nicholls' Flagship Uberalles, who beat him by three-quarters of a length in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter early this month. The winner that day could be joined in the line-up by stable-companion Green Green Desert, last of four behind fellow Sandown entry Get Real at Ascot last Friday.

Nicholls said: "Both are intended runners. Green Green Desert was a bit disappointing at Ascot, but that's him. We threw him in at the deep end a bit but with his handicap mark it's hard to place him."