Solwhit Confirmed for World Hurdle

There has been some real fluctuation in the Cheltenham Festival ante post markets in the past 24 hours as Solwhit, one of the leading fancies for the Stan James Champion Hurdle, has been confirmed for the Ladbrokes.com World Hurdle instead. This represents the first time that the seven year-old son of Solon will attempt the three mile distance over hurdles.

The Champion Hurdle’s last forfeit stage saw Solwhit pull out as he looks to be ducking another run against Hurricane Fly – who currently trades as a firm second favourite. Hurricane Fly has gotten the best of Solwhit on four occasions in their last five races. Binocular remains the solid betting favourite in the opening day’s showpiece fixture.

Solwhit’s commitment to the World Hurdle has prompted some bookmakers to clip him as low as 12/1 – putting him in the mix for the cadre of contenders looking to put the heat on Grand Crus and odds-on favourite Big Buck’s.

Speaking to At The Races, Solwhit’s conditioner Charles Byrnes confirmed that connections were taking a step in a new direction, but that it was one they expected to produce results. Byrnes declared, “we’re going into the unknown trying three miles. We were thinking it would be better to wait until the Aintree Hurdle… We have decided to aim him at the World Hurdle and, as long as everything goes well between now and then, he will run.”