Solerina holds the key to AIG
For a number of years now the emphasis in Irish racing has very much centred on the weekends. The game’s rulers believe this is the best time to race and there’s no argument there.
What it means is that a huge portion of racing is crammed into two days and, as a consequence, Friday morning has become utterly significant, as trainers are forced to finally show their hands.
Tomorrow morning will be viewed with the usual heightened interest. What direction will the Bowe family head with Solerina?
There’s no doubt she’s the first horse who will be the focus of our attention. Will it be the AIG or Naas?
Certainly, the presence of this serial front-runner at Leopardstown would simplify matters, in that everyone would immediately know just how the AIG is going to be run.
In any case this looks like developing into a serious Champion Hurdle trial, a contest which currently has a wide-open appearance.
The handicapper’s ratings are quite fascinating. He has Solerina on 154, followed by Davenport Milenium and Golden Cross on 153 and Spirit Leader on 152.
What he is saying is: “boys these are, basically, the same horses.” But, of course, Solerina and Spirit Leader, as mares, will get 5lbs on Sunday and it will go up to 7lbs at Cheltenham.
Seven went to post for the Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas and Golden Cross, the complete outsider at 66-1, beat Spirit Leader, Flame Creek and Solerina.
That he was the best horse on the day isn’t in dispute and it was no surprise when he was raised a whopping 23lbs.
Yet, for whatever reason, I don’t know of many people who give credence to the form and Golden Cross is going to have to produce again before most of us are converted.
Davenport Milenium, now that he has been confirmed a starter, will give this Grade One a real edge.
The eight-year-old has always threatened to go right to the top, but niggling tendon injuries have simply stunted his growth. That second, though, to Rigmarole at Cheltenham last month was hugely encouraging.
Spirit Leader is an amazing improver. She got beaten one day at Gowran Park off a mark of 109 and now, 43lbs later, is a realistic Champion Hurdle prospect.
There are real similarities between herself and Rooster Booster. He too came through the handicapping ranks, winning the County Hurdle at Cheltenham off 11-1.
The following year he was back at the Festival, taking the Champion Hurdle in a canter. In March, of course, Jessica Harrington’s mare produced a terrific weight-carrying performance in the County Hurdle, defying 11-7.
KICKING KING will be the other major attraction at Leopardstown on Sunday, when he puts his reputation on the line in the Arkle Cup.
He has been the medium of some inspired support with the layers of late for the Arkle at Cheltenham, which has seen a dramatic contraction in his odds.
We will all be watching him very closely, both before and during the contest. In the Denny Gold Medal Novice ’Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas he behaved mulishly at the start and then ran down the second last with the race at his mercy.
He has since done much better, in a poor event at Punchestown, and this will be the definitive test of his Festival prospects.
HARD to know what to make of our juvenile hurdlers after the defeat of 4-9 shot Top Strategy at Punchestown last Saturday.
You would have to say Paul Carberry stole the race on Cupla Cairde, but, at the same time, it was disappointing the manner in which Top Strategy was caught flat-footed when Carberry quickened the pace.
When Top Strategy won so impressisvely at Leopardstown previously, he looked to possess a real turn of foot.
But, maybe, the opposition were just stopping on that occasion and it was an optical illusion! At Punchestown his best asset appeared to be his staying-power, as he finished with a real flourish. Just can’t wait to see him again.
