The Charles Byrnes trained Solwhit followed up on his recent win at Aintree when winning The Rabobank Champion Hurdle under Davy Russell in the colours of The Top Of The Hill Syndicate.
Russell raced the Solon gelding towards rear, made progress travelling well approaching straight, challenged before the last and the pair had to battle all the way to the line to hold off the Nicky Henderson trained Punjabi by a short head.
Winning trainer Byrnes said afterwards, "He's definitely the best horse I've ever trained. Davy [Russell] wanted something to aim at so he dropped him back and I didn't really feel too confident about it but he really does love to battle. Next year the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle is the obvious target. We'll give him a break now. I've never won a champion hurdle before so I'm not too sure as to what route to go but he'll more than likely stay at home before he heads for Cheltenham."
"He ran bad three runs back at Thurles, we had brought him over to Cheltenham and the meeting was cancelled and he didn't travel great but he travelled well going to Aintree and he's goes on any ground", added Byrnes.
Boylesports and William Hill have quoted Solwhit 10/1 for the 2010 Champion Hurdle.
