• Horse Racing

Solwhit shines in Limestone stroll

Solwhit hit the winning trail at Naas © Getty Images

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Solwhit returned to winning ways with a taking success in the Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas.

Charles Byrnes' charge returned from a long absence with a satisfactory second behind Bog Warrior last time and he showed the benefit of the outing with a cosy win.

Solwhit has lived in the shadow of the mighty Hurricane Fly, but is a classy horse in his own right. He travelled supremely well behind leader Whatuthink and made his ground with ease.

He was the only horse still on the bridle turning for home, as Davy Russell allowed him to coast alongside Whatuthink.

So Young attempted to come with a challenge running down to the last, but he met the hurdle wrong while Solwhit jumped it with precision. Russell merely had to shake the reins on the run-in and Solwhit powered away in a manner which suggested all the talent remains.

"I'm delighted to get him back," Byrnes said. "I have no real plans now - he'll be entered in the World Hurdle. It'll be an option, but I don't know whether he'll go or not. We might consider France as we'd be guaranteed soft ground there.

"He was well-in today so maybe we shouldn't be getting too carried away. He travelled well though, and he looks back to somewhere near his best.

"The ground has never been a worry with him. When he won at Aintree it was on the good side.

"I don't think there's anything for him between now and March. I had him entered in a Champion Hurdle trial today as well (at Haydock's abandoned meeting). It's on now at Doncaster in a week's time, but he won't go there.

"It's a pity they didn't put it back another week as he was well-in there, getting 8lb off other Graded horses."

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