Solo a class of one in Adonis annihilation

Solo by name, Solo by nature. Another potential superstar of National Hunt Racing was unearthed at Kempton Park on Saturday as the colt Solo was imperious for trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden as he took the Grade 2 Weatherbys “Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide” Adonis Juvenile Hurdle, and in doing so provided another big Saturday winner for owners Mr & Mrs Johnny De La Hey.

Adonis was the Greek God of beauty, and this handsome son of Kapgarde was his namesake as he sauntered clear to score by 13 lengths in scintillating fashion, a performance that made him quickly shortened by many bookmakers into favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2 and a half weeks time, despite only making one appearance in the UK since being purchased from the yard of Guillaume Macaire.

On flagfall Fantastic Ms Fox was keenly away, with Solo alongside her as the field went towards the first. The pace was a good, honest one, the field covered by 6 lengths as they swung into the country with a full circuit of the course ahead of them.

Solo took a tug at flight three, where Fantastic Ms Fox dived at the hurdle somewhat. After flight four and swinging into the back Solo was sent on by Harry Cobden, jumping well over the fifth, while Fantastic Ms Fox received a slap down the neck from Leighton Aspell. Waterproof moved to take closer order under Tom Quinlan, while at the rear of the field Vorashann was being niggled along by Joshua Moore to keep tabs on the field.

Daryl Jacob kept the filly Fujimoto Flyer on the inside going down the back, keen to keep a close tabs on their rivals and exploit any gaps heading up the home straight. At the turn after 3 out he was short of room and had to switch off the rail as Fantastic Ms Fox weakened, her early exertions at the head of affairs leaving their mark.

Upon straightening up towards two out Solo was sent on by Cobden and he quickly put 4 lengths on the field, who were headed by Fujimoto Flyer, who had managed to get a run off the rail and went after the leader. It soon appeared however that despite any sort of drama falling upon the leader, it was going to be a vain attempt.

A great leap at the penultimate flight by the son of Kapgarde gave him so much momentum that he afforded his jockey enough time to glance behind heading towards the last, where he saw the rest of the field hard at work and battling on despondently to catch him, while he still appeared to be in second gear. At the last a fine leap left him 7 lengths clear, and to a rapturous applause from the assembled crowd they simply breezed up to score by 13 lengths and make it a fifth Adonis juvenile hurdle for Paul Nicholls.

Bookmakers were suitably and immediately impressed with the performance, with many installing him as the favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2 weeks. It will be interesting to see if the form stacks up in the Boodles ( Fred Winter ) Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on the Wednesday of the meeting, with runner-up Fujimoto Flyer, Tremwedge ( third ), Vorashann ( seventh ) and the winner all entered for the penultimate race on Day 2 of The Festival, though it would appear more likely that Solo will go for the Triumph on the Friday after this dominant success.

Post-race, the rider of Tremwedge, Tom Bellamy, and Leighton Aspell, who partnered Fantastic Ms Fox, reported to the stewards that their mounts ran too free in the race, while a post race examination of Waterproof revealed that the horse had bled from the nose.

Regretfully, there was a further post-race update, and it was the news that Royal Dancer, who had fallen at the last when behind, had suffered a fatal injury, and had had to be euthanised by the on-course vets. Our thoughts go to all connections on their loss.