WHITE-KNUCKLE ride Edredon Bleu has the speed to put his rivals to the sword in the Tingle Creek Trophy Chase at Sandown today.

Henrietta Knight's dazzling front-running two-miler prevailed by a short-head over track and trip last term, edging out Fadalko in a battle royale for the Grade 1 Championship Chase.

When the dust had settled many observers reckoned it was the race of the year because the pair went at it head-to-head, toe-to-toe, over the final three dramatic fences.

In the end Tony McCoy's strength in the saddle forced Edredon Bleu's head in front where it counted, but there was no disgrace on the part of the Ruby Walsh-ridden Fadalko, who gamely now tries for revenge in the £80,000 Mitsubishi-sponsored showpiece.

The latter, pick of the three Paul Nicholls-trained runners, disappointed on his comeback outing at Exeter a month previous.

"Nothing came to light after his run, although the ground was maybe a be quick for him, I'll be glad to see it keep raining for Fadalko," said Nicholls.

Also in the line-up is Malton hopeful Latalomne, on a five-timer after pulverising a decent field at Cheltenham in mid-November.

"He's definitely improved since Cheltenham, although I wouldn't want it too soft because he has so much speed," said his trainer, Brian Ellison.

Latalomne is clearly on the upgrade, though it's asking a lot of the flying seven-year-old to take such a big step up in grade.

More of a threat may come from Flagship Uberalles, successful in the contest two years ago and reported by new handler Philip Hobbs to be in good form.

* Jockey Andrew Thornton is facing two months on the sidelines after breaking a forearm bone in a fall at Wincanton on Thursday.

He was given the bad news after being taken to Ridgeway Hospital at Wroughton, near Swindon, for x-rays following the tumble yesterday.

Thornton was riding Macaw-Bay for Tony Carroll in the EBF/Tattersalls Novices' Chase when the seven-year-old, who was making her debut over fences, fell at the second fence.

The rider was thrown clear but in the melee, 100-1 shot Indian Crown was brought down and the horse trod on the arm of the prostrate Thornton.

Thornton said: ''I have broken the radius one of the bones in the forearm and I am going to have it plated.

"It is dislocated at the wrist as well.

''I have been told it is nothing to worry about but it is a bit wonky.

''I could be out for a while. The doctor seems to think it could be a couple of months. It is a real shame but such is racing.

''You are up one minute and down the next.

"It's a bit frustrating but it happens to everybody.

''If you keep riding, you are going to have a fall.

"The earliest I will be back is February.''

Thornton, who was supposed to be riding at Southwell yesterday, added that although he was in pain, he at first thought it was merely badly bruised.

Like many jump jockeys, 29-year-old Thornton has suffered a series of injuries during his career.

He broke his left leg in a fall at Fontwell in May 1998 and had to have two plates and 17 screws inserted during an operation.

That accident saw him out of action for over four months, and a subsequent infection around the plates kept him out of the saddle for a further seven weeks at the start of the following year.

More recently, he cracked a rib in a fall on Scottish Grand National day at Ayr in April, but still insisted on riding Gingembre, who went on to win the big race.