Solwhit can redeem reputation
Mind you, he continues to challenge for favouritism for the Champion Hurdle, with Go Native and Zaynar, and could jump right to the head of the market if delivering now.
The selection disappointed last time at Newcastle, struggling home a well beaten third behind Go Native and Sublimity.
But there was no pace in the contest for much of the journey and Solwhit was never going to be able to cope with the two who finished in front of him, if it came down to a speed test.
And that’s the biggest concern now. Granted a true-run race then, to my way of thinking, there can only be one winner!
Prior to Newcastle, Charles Byrnes’ charge was seen in a far better light, powering through late too slam Muirhead and Hurricane Fly at Punchestown. Muirhead, who is in here as well, made the running and, hopefully, will do so again on this occasion.
Colm Murphy’s classy Voler La Vedette is impossible to oppose in the Listed ITBA Fillies Scheme EBF Mares’ Hurdle.
She arrrives on the back of a 13 lengths slamming of Go Native at Down Royal and that puts her in a different league to this opposition.
The nap vote falls on Willie Mullins’ Don’t Turn Bach in the Affordable Racehorse Ownership Bumper. He didn’t exactly set the world alight in point-to-points, but his first effort on the track, and for Mullins, was a super front-running display to score by five and a half lengths at Gowran Park.
Jessica Harrington’s Chasing Cars gets the vote in the Membership At Leopardstown Beginners Chase.
He was returning from a long absence when third to Sports Line at Navan and is entitled to come on a bundle for that much-needed outing.
Meanwhile, Willie Mullins’ Cooldine remains the choice in the rescheduled Lexus Chase.
