Blow for Bowe as Solerina ruled out of Cheltenham

BRILLIANT mare Solerina, winner of seven of her eight races over flights and strongly fancied for the SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, will miss the Festival.

A desperately disappointed Michael Bowe confirmed last night that the six-year-old had met with a setback and was currently on the easy-list.

Said Bowe: “She had a little scratch on her hind leg, which had been lying dormant for a while. It blew up at the weekend, however, and turned into a deep infection. The vet had to give her heavy antibiotics and they sickened her system.