Solwhit throws down Champion marker
Ladbrokes, however, were clearly unimpressed by his demolition job and he remained unchanged at 6-1 for the Champion Hurdle.
Others clearly believed, though, that it was a particularly smart display and Boylesports and Paddy Power have him as their 3-1 favourite, with William Hill offering 4-1 from 6’s.
Winning rider, Davy Russell, was more than pleased. Said Russell: “As I’ve said all along, he just wants a competitive race.
“I knew I had them covered a long way out, bar Sublimity. I was off the bridle before him, but my horse kept picking up and picking up.
“He idled a bit at the back of the last and I liked that. The hill at Cheltenham is tailor-made for him.
“That’s my opinion, but what would I know, I’ve never ridden the winner of the Champion Hurdle!”
Celestial Halo made it a decent gallop, but you soon got the impression was going just about as fast as he was capable of and this was not going to be his day.
In any case Sublimity took over at the second last and that was surprising, because he is always delivered late.
Sublimity was going better than Solwhit turning for home, but when the time came to get down and dirty only one horse had the stomach for the fight.
Solwhit was in front at the final flight, simply winged it - as usual - and quickly sped away on the flat to beat Donnas Palm with plenty left in the tank.
Commented trainer, Charles Byrnes: “A good pace that’s all we wanted all year and he definitely now heads straight to Cheltenham.
“Good ground would be a worry, good to yielding would be fine. As long as it is safe he will take his chance anyway.
“Keith Schous, who rides the horse at home, was more confident today that any other day. He is easy to train and saves everything for the track.”
Donnas Palm emerged from the contest with real credit, but Celestial Halo’s effort will have left connections scratching their heads.
Runner-up to Punjabi in last year’s Champion Hurdle, he disappointed at Cheltenham, as a prelude to here, and this was even worse.
David Casey gave An Cathaoir Mor a magnificent drive to land the Frank Ward Solicitors’ Arkle Chase, continuing the fine run of trainer, Henry de Bromhead.
Major Finnegan and Take The Breeze set a ferocious pace, with Sports Line close up thoughout, and this was made for a hold-up horse.
The trail-blazers were legless early in the straight, as the sweet-jumping Sports Line made the best of his way home.
But he soon began to falter and the eventual winner was now sweeping through from miles behind to throw down a big challenge.
Sports Line had little left on the flat and An Cathaoir Mor forged away to score by a length and a quarter.
“David gave him some ride, that was brilliant”, exclaimed de Bromhead. “I took a chance running him back within a week, but he has a tough constitution.
“He loves bottomless ground and now is his time. He will be entered for Cheltenham, but I don’t know if he is a horse for there, testing conditions are the key to him.”
Denis O’Regan, who took a fall from Zaarito at the third, suffered a broken left collarbone.
All the positive word regarding Rite Of Pasage proved correct when he strolled to victory under Robbie McNamara in the Frank Conroy Memorial Maiden Hurdle.
The only worry came on the final bend when the odds-on shot was carried wide by a loose horse.
Davy Russell grabbed his chance to drive Grey Soldier into the lead, but Rite Of Passage, oozing class, picked him up in a matter of strides.
The winner did get in a bit tight to the last, but then quickened away on the flat to score by three lengths, with McNamara sitting virtually motionless.
Trainer, Dermot Weld, said: “He did what we expected. He’s a very good horse and, potentially, a very good horse over hurdles.
“We will give him one more run and, if everything goes to plan, it will then be Cheltenham and one of the novice hurdles. He stays well and is a very relaxed individual.”
When Dooneys Gate began to struggle off the final turn, in the Foxrock Handicap Chase, he appeared well beaten.
Ruby Walsh, however, refused to accept defeat, got a renewed effort from his charge which reaped a real dividend on the run in, as Dooneys Gate powered past market-leader, Show Blessed.
“He disappointed in the Paddy Power and we dropped him in trip, which seems to have worked”, reported Willie Mullins.
“We thought he was an out-and-out stayer, but think we will now campaign him at less than three miles.”
Long odds-on Quel Esprit’s reputation was in tatters, following a shock defeat to Coole River in the Synergy Security Solutions Novice Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh allowed him stride on going to five out, but the champion jockey looked distinctly uneasy heading to the last.
His fears were well founded and Coole River and Barry Geraghty outbattled Quel Esprit on the flat.
Winning trainer, Jessica Harrington, is currently on a skiing holiday so plans are on hold for the Carroll House gelding.
Colbert Station followed his success at Punchestown with and even better effort in the three mile handicap hurdle.
Trained by Ted Walsh and partnered by Tony McCoy, he shot on early in the straight to easily beat Dorset Square.
Said Walsh: “He obviously improved since the last day and A.P says will jump a fence in time.”
The Tom Nagle-trained Acey, fifth behind Elegant Concorde on this track, bounded ahead a furlong down to take the Bumper by three and a half lengths.
