Solwhit denies Punjabi in Punchestown thriller

ByLewis Porteous5.39PM 1 MAY 2009

Rabobank Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)2m

AINTREE HURDLE winner Solwhit produced an ultra game performance to wrestle the Rabobank Champion Hurdle from Cheltenham hero Punjabi, in a thrilling finish at Punchestown on Friday.

Winning rider Davy Russell was content to sit close to the rear on Solwhit as dual Champion Hurdler Hardy Eustace took the field along at a strong gallop.

Punjabi was ridden a lot closer to the pace and sat in third place for the first mile.As the runners turned for home Barry Geraghty seized the initiative on Punjabi and struck the front. Joint-favourite Quevega briefly threatened on the wide outside but her effort was short lived.

Punjabi looked the likely winner approaching the last but an untidy jump gave his pursuers one last chance. Russell forced his mount through a tight gap on the inside rail and joined Punjabi on the run to the line.

The two runners could not be split and flashed past the post as one, with Solwhit getting the verdict by a short-head. The winner was immediately cut to 10-1 for next season's Champion Hurdle by Blue Square, the same price as Punjabi.

Winning trainer Charles Byrnes confirmed that race to be the main target.

"That was a fantastic finish. I was very concerned at the fourth-last as he lost a bit of ground but Davy always felt confident.

"He'll go on a break now and we'll then bring him back for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next year.

"I've never won a Champion Hurdle before so I don't know what route we'll take to get there, although I imagine he'll stay at home in the build-up to Cheltenham.

"We took him over there last year for the Boylesports race (Boylesports.com International) but that was called off and he didn't travel over there well.

"But he was fine when he went over to Aintree and hopefully that's all behind him. He goes on any ground, he's the best I've trained and this is just unbelievable," said Byrnes.