Solwhit charges to Irish Hurdle
RACING: Solwhit is the new 7-2 favourite for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March after powering to an impressive victory in the Irish equivalent at Leopardstown.
The Charles Byrnes-trained 5-6 favourite ran on strongly for a four-and-a-half-length victory over Donnas Palm, who edged out Sublimity for second.
Second-favourite Celestial Halo, ridden by Ruby Walsh, trailed home in a disappointing fourth.
Solwhit’s jockey Daryl Russell said: “He jumped accurately and even idled before the line. He’s lived up to our expectations.”