Solwhit ‘not quite as forward as last year’, warns Byrnes

CHARLES BYRNES feels Solwhit is not as forward as he was 12 months ago ahead of his bid for a second successive victory in the Dobbins & Madigans at Punchestown Hurdle tomorrow.

The six-year-old’s success in last year’s renewal kickstarted a campaign that also yielded triumphs in the December Festival Hurdle and the Irish Champion Hurdle.

“He’s in good shape, but he wouldn’t be quite as straight as he was this time last year,” said Byrnes.