NAVAN (13 Nov 2005)

Soft

1:30 Philips Electronics Lismullen Hurdle (Grade 2) (4yo+)

[off 1:30] £23,085.11, £6,773.05, £3,226.95, £1,099.29 2m4f

Comments In Running OR TS RPR

1 Solerina James Bowe 8 11-7 G T Hutchinson 4/6F 158 140 157+

2 4 Back In Front E J O´Grady 8 11-12 B J Geraghty 9/4 161 141 152+

3 7 Prince Of Tara S J Mahon 8 11-5 Mr K B Bowens 25/1 127 138

4 4½ Emotional Moment T J Taaffe 8 11-10 D F O´Regan 9/1 150 128 139+

5 6 Yogi Thomas Foley 9 11-8 N P Madden 33/1 136 120 131

6 13 Ray Boy P C O´Connor 6 11-2 C O´Dwyer 12/1 133 — 112

7 hd Holy Orders W P Mullins 8 11-12 b D J Condon 16/1 — 121

PU Splendour Miss S Cox 10 11-8 J R Barry 50/1 111 — —

8 ran TIME 5m 3.40s (slow by 27.40s) TOTAL SP 123%

NON RUNNER: Royal Paradise (FR)

1st OWNER: John P Bowe BRED: Michael J Bowe TRAINER: James Bowe

2nd OWNER: D Cox

3rd OWNER: James J Swan

TOTE WIN £1.50 PL £1.10, £1.60, £3.20; Ex £3.20; CSF £2.74

ANALYSIS: Connections of the first two can draw plenty of comfort from this. While there was no doubting the supremacy shown by SOLERINA in making all to record the 15th hurdles of her career, the runner-up Back In Front also emerged with credit on his first attempt over two-and-a-half miles since his novice days.

Solerina, a last-flight faller at Tipperary, was quick and accurate at her hurdles throughout, and there are very few who could live with her on soft ground over a course and distance that brings out the best in her. Set in that context, it was encouraging that Back In Front mounted such a lively display on his first outing since a disappointing effort in the Champion Hurdle.

Last year’s Bula Hurdle winner, he should be again in the Champion mix if all goes well in the coming months, while this could also help to give Edward O’Grady wider options in terms of trip.

Prince Of Tara ran a fine race on his first outing in more than a year. He was Solerina’s closest pursuer for a long way and though he began to struggle when the mare wound up the tempo from three out he stuck to his task gamely. Proven over three miles, and a winner over fences last season, he has had his problems but should win more races if staying right.

Emotional Moment is bound to be sharper as a result of this first outing of the season and will be a more potent force when going back over three miles, the trip at which he gained his three wins last season.

Yogi found the company too demanding and is a hard horse to place in Ireland, and this was also a tough task for Ray Boy who was a promising novice last season. He improved to get within striking-distance of the leaders towards the end of the back-straight, but was already in trouble when gettingthe third-last wrong.

Holy Orders had one of his off-days. (AS)