Murphy Wary Of Solerina Threat

Colm Murphy expects Solerina to be 'a tough cookie to beat' in Sunday´s Ballymore Properties Hatton´s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Murphy´s stable star Brave Inca reopposes last year´s winner Solerina in the two-and-a-half mile race and is hoping the seven-year-old can avenge his six-length defeat last time.

He said: 'My fellow is definitely more mature this year and it is a case that there are so few opportunities for him.

'I would prefer not to be going two and a half miles but at the same time there is not much else for him before Christmas and we don´t want to travel as he is probably not quite ready for that just yet.

'He will improve for the run but at the same time we are very hopeful as well.'

Brave Inca won the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on his reappearance late last month, a victory which prompted Ladbrokes to make him a 7-1 chance for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle in March.

Murphy told At The Races: 'I think he has got such a good chance of winning a Champion Hurdle and the fact he got so close last year when he was only just out of novice ranks, you would be hoping he would be better this year.'

Solerina bounced back to form last time with victory in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan.

The eight-year-old mare had a somewhat chequered start to the campaign, falling heavily on her reappearance in October before finishing third in the Leopardstown November Handicap, only to be disqualified when her jockey weighed in light.

Solerina will be bidding for a third successive win in the Grade One race and Michael Bowe, assistant and son of trainer James, reports her to be in fine heart.

He told At The Races: 'I only just hope that I have got her as good as I have had her the past two seasons.

'I keep telling people that she never tells you a lot at home and never gives you any clues - you just have to take her on trust, but as far as I can tell, she is in good form.'

Bowe was delighted with Solerina´s run at Navan last time, adding: 'I was thrilled with her - she jumped around safe without falling and she came out of the race very well.

'She has just done one piece of work since then and after that she has just been ticking over at home. She is a handy little mare and doesn´t take a lot of training.'

Also going to post in the ?68,500 contest is Back In Front, who was second to Solerina last time, Leopardstown November Handicap winner Golden Cross and Tom Foley´s Royal Paradise.

? PA Sport