Solzen set for Ketchum clash

My Way De Solzen is set for an early-season showdown with the undefeated Black Jack Ketchum in the £40,000 (€59,450) Grade Two John Smith’s Hurdle at Wetherby on Saturday week.

The Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner is set to make his seasonal debut in the 25-furlong contest which could be his swansong over hurdles before he embarks on a chasing career.

My Way De Solzen’s trainer, Alan King, said: “He summered well and is in grand form ahead of Wetherby. Obviously we want it to keep raining but I’m very happy with him.

“I don’t know if excited would be the right word to use about the prospect of taking on Black Jack Ketchum, but it’s sure to be a good spectacle. That’s what racing is all about after all.”

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained Black Jack Ketchum has won all seven starts including the Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the Citroen C6 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.

My Way De Solzen’s three victories last term included the Long Walk Hurdle and the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

“The plan is to go and jump fences at some stage but whether we go to Newbury after Wetherby or whether we go on to novice chasing straight away, I’m not sure yet. We’ll take it one race at a time,” King went on.