Cowboy primed for shoot-out
He rocketed to the head of the market following a hugely impressive seasonal debut at Haydock 16 days ago.
Eyebrows were raised when Jonjo O’Neill decided to start the rising eight-year-old off in a two and a half mile handicap. But Rhinestone Cowboy did his job in style, quickening like a high-class racehorse to give Double Honour 17lbs and a six lengths beating.
Last season, the selection enjoyed a series of easy touches, before being taken off his feet when third to Rooster Booster in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Nevertheless, that was a decent effort on the part of a novice and there is every reason to believe Rhinestone Cowboy has greatly matured over the summer.
This is a fascinating contest with Solerina and Back In Front two huge dangers. Back In Front is all class, as he proved with an emphatic victory in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
But he proved no match for Intersky Falcon on his return at Tipperary and took a long time to master Sacundai and Solerina at Punchestown subsequently.
As well as that one harbours doubts about him, against this caliber of opposition, on soft ground and he is passed over on this occasion.
Solerina is certain to ask plenty questions of her rivals, literally from the start. A brilliant mare, with a wonderful attitude, she is going to take some catching.
James Bowe’s charge comes here on the back of two fine front-running successes, at Fairyhouse and Navan. Indeed, if there is one horse in the contest, who is virtually certain to give its running, it is surely Solerina. Rhinestone Cowboy’s partner, the relatively inexperienced J P Magnier, is set to face a real baptism of fire. Hopefully, he will come through with flying colours and the Champion Hurdle favourite to cut down Solerina in the closing stages is the prediction.
