Solerina and Eustace on target for rematch
Solerina came out on top by two and a half lengths over her optimum trip of two and a half miles in the Tara Hurdle, but Hardy Eustace lost nothing in defeat as it was the Champion Hurdle winner’s first race since April.
A rematch in the Bewleys Hotels December Festival Hurdle over two miles, for which there were 10 five-day entries yesterday, would be one to savour.
Paddy Power can hardly split the pair, making Hardy Eustace favourite at 9-4 with Solerina at 5-2.
Both failed in this event a year ago, however, with the Bowe family’s super mare only fourth behind shock winner Golden Cross, and the Dessie Hughes-trained Hardy Eustace last of the seven runners.
The main opposition to the big two could come from Jessica Harrington’s Macs Joy and the Colm Murphy-trained Brave Inca, who won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and was runner-up to Solerina at Fairyhouse a month ago.
Harchibald and Royal Shakespeare are among the 10 entries, but are believed to be doubtful runners.
: 9-4 Hardy Eustace, 5-2 Solerina, 7-2 Macs Joy, 4-1 Brave Inca, 10-1 Al Eile, 16-1 Power Elite, Georges Girl, 200-1 Lala Nova.
