Racing: Azertyuiop flops at the first fence

A first-fence blunder by top young chaser and hot favourite Azertyuiop helped his veteran rival Edredon Bleu to land the Haldon Gold Cup here yesterday.

Paul Nicholls, Azertyuiop's trainer, was standing beside the first fence when his previously unbeaten chaser unseated his rider, Mick Fitzgerald. Nicholls said: "He just slipped into the fence and I'm glad he's all right."

Edredon Bleu jumped quickly and accurately, beating Wahiba Sands by two and a half lengths. Described by his trainer, Henrietta Knight, as "an amazing horse", the 11-year-old proved he is at his best when fresh and when encountering quick conditions. Even though the racecourse was blanketed in drizzle, none of the rain had got into the ground.

Edredon Bleu was cut to 12-1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase by Victor Chandler, but Knight immediately ruled out the big Cheltenham prize for the veteran.