Solwhit heads 13 Hatton's Grace entries

Solwhit and Hurricane Fly head the 13 left in at the five-day stage for the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Charles Byrnes is confident of a big run from Solwhit, beaten a neck by Hurricane Fly in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in April, and optimistic that his charge can reverse the form this weekend.

He told sportinglife.com: "I'd be hopeful enough. I'm sure that he'll (Hurricane Fly) be fit and well if Willie (Mullins) decides to run him as it's two and a half miles in testing ground.

"If we can't beat him over two and a half miles in this ground then we won't have much business taking him on over two miles later on," he added.

Solwhit has already won the Dobbins & Madigans at Punchestown Hurdle, a run that pleased his Co. Limerick handler.

"He had been working quite lazily before the run but as soon as he got to the race itself he came alive and we were very happy with how he performed," he said.

On this weekend last year, Byrnes decided to travel to Newcastle for the Fighting Fifth, the first leg of a £1million bonus put up by former sponsors WBX.com.

"Last year we were influenced by the bonus but whether there was one or not this year we wouldn't go back," he explains.

"Ideally he needs longer than two weeks between his races and with the travelling and everything last year it all was just too quick for him. At least he won't have to travel this year," he added.

Although a well-beaten sixth in last-year's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, Byrnes has Prestbury Park on the agenda for his stable star again.

"Naturally he'll be aimed for Cheltenham but not specifically just for there. He could run a blinder and only finish fourth as there are so many good horses around."

On future targets he added: "It'll be Grade Ones all the way."

Willie Mullins feels the two mile four furlong trip should not be a problem for his exciting gelding.

“The Hatton’s Grace is the plan with Hurricane Fly and the trip shouldn’t be a problem. As a four-year-old in France, he was running over two and a half miles. We have worked him on the flat last week and he went well, so we will see how he is this week, and hopefully go to Fairyhouse,” said Mullins.

Donald McCain's Peddlers Cross is the main absentee as his connections have decided to take on Binocular in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle 24 hours earlier.

Recent Navan Grade 2 winner Oscar Dan Dan is also among the “baker's dozen”, while others of note are Donnas Palm, Shinrock Paddy and Voler La Vedette.

William Hill have installed Solwhit as their 5/4 favourite. Hurricane Fly is next best at 100/30, while last year's winner Oscar Dan Dan is 6/1. Donnas Palm and Voler La Vedette are both available at 8/1.

"It's great to see Ireland's leading hurdlers clashing so early in the season," said William Hill spokesman Tony Kenny.

"Solwhit and Hurricane Fly look like the obvious candidates, although you certainly couldn't rule out the chances of Oscar Dan Dan retaining his Hattons Grace crown."

The Willie Mullins-trained Mikael D'Haguenet is on course to make the eagerly awaited switch to fences in the Drinmore Novice Chase. The six-year-old, sidelined all of last season through injury, is the champion trainer's only representative from five original entries.

Noel Meade just relies on Realt Dubh with impressive Punchestown winner Thegreatjohnbrowne not among the remaining ten entries. Noble Prince, Jessies Dream, Head Of The Posse and the progressive Back Of The Pack are also still on target for the 2m4f Grade 1.

Mullins also has a strong contender in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle with Zaidpour. The French import scored in impressive fashion at Punchestown earlier this month, and heads the eight remaining entries for the two miler.

Noel Meade is three-handed here with Dark Prospect, Perfect Smile and Prima Vista, while Carloswayback, Mount Helicon and The Shepherd King are also among the entries.

The latter beat a decent field on his hurdling introduction at Galway, and trainer Tom Cooper is looking forward to stepping him up in grade.

"The plan is for him to run and we're very happy with him at the moment," said Cooper.

"It's a step up for him but he was good in Galway and the form has worked out well, with the second and third both winning since. He's entitled to take his chance, without a doubt.

"I think he would prefer a bit better ground, but he did win very well in a schooling bumper at Tipperary in very testing ground last season. He is a horse with a lot of speed and that heavy ground does just take it out of them, but he has won a point-to-point over three miles, so he should be all right."

The Grade 3 Juvenile Hurdle has attracted nine entries including smart Down Royal winner Toner D'Oudairies, and Tommy Stack's useful Flat performer Mister Carter.