At Navan today, Solerina, under Gary Hutchinson, turned in another impressive front running effort to beat Rosaker and stablemate Florida Coast by seven and two lengths respectively in the Grade 2 Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle. Winning owner John Bowe said Solerina (1/3) would tackle the two-mile Bewleys Hotels December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown should the ground prove soft on the 29th and revealed that she “appeared better today“ than when winning the Grade 1 Hattons Grace hurdle at Fairyhouse two weeks ago.
Newmill, successful in a Grade 1 event at Fairyhouse a fortnight ago, proved a smooth winner once again in the two-and-a-half mile Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle with victory under a patient ride from Barry Geraghty. A smart leap at the fourth last saw Thomas O’Leary‘s gelding ease into second on the heels of leader Kildare. Newmill collared the leader and pinged the final two flights to skate away from the field for an eight and three-and-a-half length victory over Kildare and Kadiskar.
Filed by Brendan Cole
