Solerina Bids For 22nd Career Victory At Naas On Saturday The James Bowe trained Solerina, a hugely popular performer with Irish racegoers, bids to win the 22nd race of her career in the Cedar Building Hurdle at Naas on Saturday which has attracted 16 entries. Having failed to last out the three mile distance of the woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown in late December, she is sure to appreciate the step down to this two mile three furlong trip and is likely to start favourite.However, the Tom Mullins trained Asian Maze is a formidable opponent having enjoyed a tremendous run of success last season. This high class mare reeled off seven victories over hurdles last winter which culminated in a wide margin victory in the Menolly Homes Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival and although she has not raced since last April, she is sure to be fit enough to make her presence felt on Saturday.Other interesting entries are Tom Taaffe's Glenfinn Captain, unbeaten on his only two hurdle races to date, while Brogella, Mossy Green and Lissbonney Project are useful performers in their own right and a fascinating contest is in store.On an excellent card, the Ted Walsh trained Southern Vic is one of 19 entries for the Grade 2 Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase over three miles. Successful in the Grade 1 Rohcon Ascon Novice Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas this very useful sort faces some talented rivals and with the likes of Church Island, Homer Wells, Our Ben and Slim Pickings all entered, an exciting race is in prospect. The Irish Stallion Farms Racing Writers Novice Hurdle over two miles has attracted some promising novices with Noel Meade's Sweet Wake one of 18 entries engaged. This one made a hugely impressive winning debut at Leopardstown over Christmas and is currently favourite with some bookmakers for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. David Wachman's Albert Mooney returned from a long absence to win a maiden hurdle at Navan in December while Glenfinn Captain and smart flat performer, Tolpuddle, are other notable entries in another quality race.
