REPORT FROM PUNCHESTOWN:SOLWHIT CAUSED a big shake-up in the betting for next year's Champion Hurdle by taking the notable scalp of Hurricane Fly in the Dobbins and Madigans Hurdle at Punchestown yesterday.
The latter was sent off the 8 to 13 favourite following an unbeaten novice campaign but could not match the finishing kick of Charles Byrnes’ stable star.
Always travelling kindly in the hands of Davy Russell, the five-year-old came through to challenge both long-time leader Muirhead and Hurricane Fly for the lead at the final flight.
The trio touched down virtually in unison but Solwhit soon engaged overdrive and quickened readily clear to score by two and a half lengths.
Muirhead kept on for second while Hurricane Fly, who had been ante-post for next year’s Champion Hurdle, could only finish third.
William Hill and Victor Chandler were suitably impressed by the winner and make him 4 to 1 favourite from 8 to 1 for the Champion Hurdle, while Hurricane Fly is out to 5 to 1 from 3s.
Totesport and Paddy Power both make last year’s Champion Hurdle third Binocular their new favourite at 7 to 2 from 4 to 1, while Hurricane Fly is as big as 11 to 2 with the latter.
“He was impressive there. If we weren’t going to beat Hurricane Fly today we never were,” said winning trainer Charles Byrnes, whose charge beat reigning two-mile king Punjabi at this track in April.
“My lad doesn’t take a lot of work to get him right. I was delighted with the pace of the race and he loves coming between horses. He’s entered in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and that’s in two weeks’ time, which is a problem.
Russell added: “He doesn’t set you alight at home but he’s totally different at the races.
“We didn’t break any track records but we went along at a nice even pace. I was happy with way he jumped and he kept quickening all the way to the line.”
Willie Mullins was not too disappointed with Hurricane Fly’s performance. “They finished in the order the handicapper had assessed them,” said the trainer. “It was his first step up into senior company and I’m happy with his performance.”
Sizing Europe maintained his unbeaten record over fences with another faultless display in the Grade Two Craddockstown Novice Chase. Henry de Bromhead’s stable star was sent off the 1 to 3 favourite to follow up a victory at the course a month ago and barely came off the bridle under Andrew Lynch to record a six-length victory over Major Finnegan.
