Solerina in top form

Racing News and preview: The staying hurdler, Solerina, is reported "in the form of her life" ahead of her likely first start…

Racing News and preview: The staying hurdler, Solerina, is reported "in the form of her life" ahead of her likely first start of the jumps season at Tipperary on Sunday.

The Michael Bowe-trained mare, who ran fourth to Iris's Gift in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, and who hasn't run since finishing behind Hardy Eustace at Punchestown, was one of only nine left in the Grade One John James McManus Hurdle at yesterday's forfeit stage.

The others include the Plate hero Ansar as well as Grimes but it is Solerina who will attract much of the public support.

Bowe's son Michael said yesterday: "She will run as long as the word firm is not in the ground description. If it is we would be hesitant. Ideally I suppose we would like another half mile and testing ground but we are anxious to run and she is in the form of her life."

READ MORE

He added: "We are not thinking further ahead than the weekend. I don't want to hear about Cheltenham until after Christmas!"

Solerina's famous stable companion Limestone Lad is also impressing in his work and could return to action in a flat race at Navan in mid-October.

A total of 11 have been left in the Grade Three novice hurdle on Sunday and they include the Guinness Gold Cup winner High Priestess while Sunday's Punchestown winner Dizzy's Dream is one of 13 left in the Grade Three novice chase.

It's an all-flat card at Fairyhouse this afternoon where the El Gran Senor Stakes brings some Stakes class to proceedings.

Aidan O'Brien runs Rowan Tree while the Oxx team are represented by the Tipperary winner Allexina. However, the Jim Bolger-trained Only Make Believe made quite an impression on his Gowran debut in beating the subsequent winners King Of Tory and Hills Of Aran and looks the most progressive.

Michael Kinane is on Glinting Desert in the opening Nursery and that booking, along with a perfect draw in stall 18, makes a convincing argument.

Jamie Spencer is on the Wachman-trained Sativa in the auction maiden and this filly's third to the National Stakes runner-up Berenson on her debut is a stand out piece of form.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column