Solwhit battles back to win Aintree Hurdle

ByPeter Scargill2.58PM 4 APR 2009

Report: Aintree, Saturday

John Smith's Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m4f

SOLWHIT led home an Irish-trained one-two in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle on Saturday when battling back to beat the Willie Mullins-trained Fiveforthree.

The Charles Byrnes-trained five-year-old returned at 6-1 under jockey Davy Russell and was made a 12-1 shot for the Champion Hurdle with Boylesports at next year's Cheltenham Festival.

Hills Of Aran cut out much of the running with Hardy Eustace for company and this year's Champion Hurdle runner-up Celestial Halo just behind.

Fiveforthree raced in the middle of the field along with the eventual winner Solwhit.

Celestial Halo was moved up to challenge the leader as the runners entered the final turn, along with United and Al Eile.

However, behind these Fiveforthree was travelling ominously well for jockey Paul Townend and went to the lead just before the final flight.

But he was unable to shake off the fast finishing Solwhit, who grabbed the lead with half a furlong to run and held on to win by half a length.

Fiveforthree (7-1) finished three lengths ahead of United (28-1) in third, while three-time race winner Al Eile was fourth.

Russell said: "At home on heavy ground (in Ireland) he handles it but he never really grabs hold of the bit.

"When I spoke to Charles beforehand I said if he's travelling well I'll have to bring him back a bit.

"I jumped off well, was sat on the bit and winged every hurdle bar the last down the back.

"He travelled into the straight, picked up and kept on after the last. We were hopeful more than confident."

Byrnes said: "He's a great horse. We didn't want to put him in at two miles at Cheltenham at this stage of his career as he is only five and this was the obvious place.

"Two miles or two and a half is no bother for him. We'll probably go to Punchestown but I think he could be competitive on the Flat as well."

Willie Mullins said of Fiveforthree: "It was a fantastic race from two out, our fella lost a hind shoe but that is no excuse, the winner is a fair horse.