Racing Irish previewsThe lead-up to Christmas that in the past used to be a very barren period for Irish jumping fans has been turned on its head, and now scarcely a weekend goes by that one or more Irish trainers does not roll out a performer that would guarantee star billing in Britain.
This weekend it is the turn of Dessie Hughes to usher back on stage his Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace in the Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle at Navan tomorrow.
Those who had been so shocked by his 33 to 1 triumph at Cheltenham that they attempted to back themselves by making out that it was a fluke had to apologise most profusely after his successful reappearance at Punchestown at the end of April.
The Friday Grade One Festival feature was the Emo Oil Champion Hurdle and this featured a rematch with the 2003 Champion Hurdle winner Rooster Booster.
He was an automatic 11 to 8 favourite at Cheltenham, and even though he had been beaten five lengths into second place and met Hardy Eustace on the same terms, he was backed down to 13 to 8 favouritism. The result was the same even if the winning margin was cut to a length.
The Irish handicapper saw no reason for altering his post-Cheltenham rating of 166, and so it is that Hardy Eustace will be meeting Solerina, the new pin-up girl of Irish hurdling on 7lbs better than handicap terms. This is the equivalent of seven lengths.
But nothing in racing is quite that simple and given the sort of preparation that he has had not even Dessie Hughes is confident about the outcome.
Because of her style of racing Solerina is a particularly difficult opponent to take on with a not fully fit champion. She is happiest when setting a strong gallop from the very beginning to the end of her races, and while she may not have the sort of instant acceleration that characterises so many of the great horses of the turf, this is a grinding gallop that will expose any weakness. On this occasion it may be too much for Hardy Eustace.
The term "small stable" was invented for a family like the Bowes, and Sweet Kiln could be the second leg of a Grade Two double for owner trainer and jockey.
The prize on offer for the Barry and Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle surpasses that for the Hardy Eustace/Solerina event, which only goes to show that framing the right conditions can be as meaningful as a pot full of money.
In the very same week that David Wachman's Damson was acclaimed the best member of her age and sex at the ROA/Racing Post Horseracing Awards in London, Wachman can top it off with a Grade Chase win through Cane Brake.
The Fairyhouse doubles scene can be dominated today by Noel Meade with Zum See and King Of Foxrock, and by Willie Mullins with his pair of Mr Babbage and Hedgehunter.
There is a certain irony in the fact that Philip Hobbs, the second of those trainers who were involved in the Champion Hurdle scenario in the spring, will, 80 minutes after the Hardy Eustace, be bidding for Cork's top of the bill with Flagship Uberalles.
A long-time star among the two mile chasers, he may now be in the twilight of his career, but on his second to Azertyuiop in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March he has the form to win the O'Connell Warehousing Hilly Way Chase.
