Racing: French Holly in Festival trial

CHAMPION HURDLE possible French Holly runs at Huntingdon today despite fears over the relatively fast ground. Ferdy Murphy, his trainer, said: "He is really ready for a run and obviously we'd be happier if the ground was softer, but I had someone walk the course and they assured me it was safe. They have moved the bends on the hurdles course."

"We still have an open mind about Cheltenham . He steps up in trip but it's a small field and I would imagine they won't go a good gallop so it will ride more like a two-mile race, near enough a Champion Hurdle- type trial. We are desperate to get a run into French Holly as he is very fresh. And, if we get beat, we get beat. But I would still be disappointed."