Solerina displayed her current well being at Naas today where James Bowe's admirable mare recorded a comfortable win in the Bank Of Ireland Hurdle. The 1/4 favourite made all under Garry Hutchinson and eased to a six length win over Bob Justice.
Afterwards, the winning handler's son, Michael, reported 'she was entitled to win this but I was a little concerned during the week because she seemed a little 'flatter' than usual. She is very intelligent so we decided not to bring her back to Leopardstown again after her defeat there.' He added 'We'll go for the Boyne Hurdle at Navan now. She is a little version of Limestone Lad and will definitely go for the Stayers Hurdle after that. '
The featured Grade 2 Novice Chase saw 14/1 outsider Lord Who defeat Jim in a thrilling battle to win under Paul Carberry. Even money favourite Emotional Moment (sixth last fence) and Contempo Suite (second fence) both exited leaving both Lord Who and Jim to contest for top honours. At the last, the pair bumped before Lord Who battled best to defeat Jim by two lengths.
Winning trainer Pat Doyle later reported 'he's not a bad horse and is rarely out of the money. He needs a left handed track and we'll aim him at the four mile chase at Cheltenham if he is qualified.'
The Irish Racing Writers Novice Hurdle looked a match before hand and proved to be exactly that with 9/10 favourite Vic Ville defeating Cupla Cairde (evens) in a humdinger finish. Winning trainer Michael Hourigan now intends running the gelding in the Deloitte & Touche Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown in a fortnight.
Edward O'Grady's injury plagued Collier County (3 - 6/1) landed the opening maiden hurdle despite looking an unlikely winner jumping the last flight. Your Almost There held a five lengths lead jumping the last but folded badly on the run-in before losing out by two lengths to the JP Magnier ridden winner.
O'Grady later reported 'he was a fair horse and we fancied him for the Cheltenham bumper in 2001. He sometimes runs a bit keen but he settled well for JP today.'
Derek O'Connor maintained his excellent strike-rate when winning the three mile handicap chase on Rio Diamond while top weight Mutineer landed a gamble (14/1 - 9/1) to win the 2m3f handicap hurdle under Paddy Flood.
The well backed 6/4 favourite Satoha landed the bumper after receiving a strong ride from Niall Madden.
Thomas Weekes
