Solwhit: "seems very well in himself" according to trainer Charles Byrnes

  PICTURE: Caroline Norris  

Solwhit a 'definite' Champion runner

SOLWHIT was described on Sunday as a “definite runner” by trainer Charles Byrnes after the six-year-old appeared among 12 horses declared for Tuesday’s Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.

The multiple Grade 1 winner's participation in the race had been in doubt after he scoped dirty last week, but, after giving him the all-clear to run on Saturday, Byrnes confirmed plans.

“He arrived over at Cheltenham around 5am and travelled over well but, given what has happened, we naturally wouldn’t be as confident as we were,” Byrnes told racingpost.com on Sunday afternoon.

“That said, we wouldn’t be here unless Solwhit was in top form.He seems very well in himself and he never appeared to be as sick as such, but he’ll be monitored and at the moment he’s a definite runner.”

Among Solwhit's opposition is fellow Irish raider Go Native, who is in line for a £1million bonus from betting exchange WBX, having won the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and Williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle.

Iain Turner, spokesman for WBX.com, said: "I am delighted to see the declarations for the Champion Hurdle and Go Native remaining in the field. After months of planning and build up the race is now a little over 48 hours away.

"Go Native is only eight hurdles away from winning the biggest bonus in National Hunt racing."

The Nicky Henderson-trained Binocular was another Champion Hurdle contender whose preparation was surrounded by fitness concerns, but he was declared along with stablemates Punjabi and Zaynar.

Jumbo Rio and Raise Your Heart also travel over from Ireland, while Celestial Halo, Khyber Kim, Medermit and Starluck, who will all have their supporters, complete the 12-runner line-up.

Ebadiyan, Muirhead and Donnas Palm were the horses withdrawn at Sunday's declaration stage.

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