Longer trip not in Hardy Eustace’s favour - Hughes
“He’s in good form and it looks like it will be between us and Solerina,” said the trainer. “She’s had four races so far so she may just have the fitness edge on us, and she’s a tough horse that very seldom gets beat once she is in front.
“I don’t think the extra half a mile will be in our favour, but it looks a good race and our horse is well.”
Solerina benefited from Hardy Eustace’s absence in the Hattons Grace Hurdle, sluicing up by six lengths from Brave Inca without being put under too much pressure. That was her second Grade One win of the season as she beat subsequent Greatwood Hurdle winner Accordion Etoile in the John James McManus Memorial Hurdle on her reappearance in October.
The mare's assistant trainer Michael Bowe, issued an upbeat bulletin yesterday.
“She’s just been her usual self - she’s very laid back and doesn’t do too much at home so we’ve just kept her ticking over,” he said. “She’s come out of the race well and is in good form. She’s been out in the field this morning to have a bit of a roll and she’s just enjoying life.”
Solerina has won 14 times in 23 starts over hurdles and she has already beaten Hardy Eustace once, when they finished first and second in the 2003 Deloitte and Touche Novice Hurdle.
However, Solerina was a distant sixth when the pair met in the Emo Oil race at Punchestown and Bowe is not underestimating Hardy Eustace’s claims.
“Hardy Eustace is the champion hurdler and she will need to be on the top of her form, but the main thing is that she comes back safe and sound,” he said. “You must remember that Hardy Eustace was a renowned two-and-a-half-mile horse in Ireland before he won at Cheltenham and I think the conditions will suit him just as well as they will Solerina.
“Solerina has had the benefit of racing, but Dessie Hughes won’t have him lacking fitness. It will be a great race.”
