Sublimity set for switch to Fairyhouse
The 10-year-old chased home Go Native at Gosforth Park 12 months ago and was a narrow second to Punjabi when the race was rearranged and run at Wetherby in 2008.
But with the ground likely to be soft if the meeting beats the forecast frost, Hennessy believes there is little point sending his charge across the Irish Sea.
The 2007 Champion Hurdle hero could still line up on Saturday, however, with the Ryans Cleaning Event Specialists Hurdle at Fairyhouse an alternative engagement.
“We’ve decided we’re not going to send him this year,” said the Co Meath handler.
“It’s hard enough taking on these horses on good ground, so there is no point taking them on when it’s soft. The meeting might not even be on at all if the forecast is near right.
“We have him in at Fairyhouse on Saturday so we’ll walk the track Friday morning and if we’re happy with the ground, he might take his chance.”
Tom Mullins admits Oscar Dan Dan faces a tough task as he defends his crown in the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
The eight-year-old claimed the Grade One in a titanic tussle 12 months ago but with Solwhit and Hurricane Fly in the line-up this time around, Mullins feels this is a much stronger renewal.
“He won well the last day and is in good form, so we’re hoping he can put up a career-best performance on Sunday,” said Mullins.
“Obviously Solwhit is a good bit ahead of him on ratings and so is Hurricane Fly, so that means we can only be hopeful. He could run the race of his life and finish third, but he’ll take his chance and see how we go.
“He seems to have improved a bit since last year and he might even want further than two and a half miles, but I hope I’m not saying that after Sunday.”
