Challengers Emerging as Big Guns Lay Down Markers

17 November 2009

They say a week is a long time in politics. In jump racing, four minutes is enough to move mountains.

Certainly the mountain that was Hurricane Fly was unceremoniously pushed sideways by Solwhit as Charles Byrnes’ five-year-old made the second big Champion Hurdle push of the early winter (after Celestial Halo) when winning at Punchestown on Sunday.

Irish high-class hurdles can often be leisurely-run and that was the fear on Sunday but after Hurricane Fly and Paul Townend (briefly) took the lead, Paul Carberry sent Muirhead on and the pace was maintained throughout.

Not that there was no moment of worry as Solwhit, cannily ridden by Davy Russell, had to squeeze between the pair at the final flight. Solwhit didn’t take it too fluently, either, but the burst of speed he produced shocked the favourite’s backers and quite rightly produced a change at the top end of Champion Hurdle betting.

For Punjabi’s fans, it was hard to know whether to be worried or happy at the outcome. After all, Solwhit was hanging on close home when just beating off Punjabi’s rally last spring in the Irish Champion Hurdle, and hadn’t our champion held off brilliant Wincanton winner Celestial Halo in the title race at Cheltenham?

Charles Byrnes seems to be favouring a run in the WBX.COM Fighting Fifth Hurdle, and who can blame him? As the in-form, fit horse he would be the one to beat, never mind last year at Wetherby when Punjabi beat Sublimity.

As this is the place to inform you of matters Punjabi, there was a slight worry last week when he had to miss a piece of work. With a horse with normal metabolism that might be nothing, in the case of Punjabi it is always significant.

A clear path for the next ten days will be crucial, and Nicky Henderson will monitor his weekend work especially closely to make sure he is straight enough to compete with the likes of a hard-fit Solwhit. Anything short of 100 per cent would make the long trek north as much a worry as an excitement.

There is only one £1million WBX bonus, and if we are unable to go it would be almost as big a disappointment for owner Ray Tooth and the stable as it was last year when in practical terms his fall at Kempton “cost” them the £1 million.

In the end, though, the biggest prize emotionally came Raymond’s way and even if Punjabi does miss out next week – who said his programme was set in stone?- the summit can again be on his radar.

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