SOLO IS OUT ON HIS OWN

Hurdler looks a shoo-in at Festival

SOLO became a worthy player for next month’s Triumph Hurdle after his polished performance when taking the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton.

Formerly trained in France, the colt never looked for catching under Harry Cobden. Winning trainer Paul Nicholls will be hoping the colt follows in the hoof prints of his past Adonis winner Zarkandar, who won the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2011.

“He is bigger and scopier than Zarkandar, as he was a Flat horse making his debut here,” said Nicholls. “I thought he was decent and he looks a proper horse.

“He strikes me of being in the model of my champion chaser Master Minded as he is a big, strong horse that will make

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ASPELL, successful in two Grand Nationals, has announced his retirement for the second time. “Today is going to be my last day as a jump jockey,” said Aspell, who has two rides at Fontwell. “I’m 43 and I’ve had a great career. It’s been a great journey and I’ve been a very lucky boy.” The Irishman first retired in 2007 only to return to the saddle in 2009. lovely chaser one day.” Solo rightly heads the Triumph Hurdle betting at 3-1 with Paddy Power and it will take a brave man to oppose him.

This was a change of fortune for Solo’s owner Johnny de la Hey as last Saturday, he feared the worst when Cyrname took a crashing fall at Ascot.

“He’s fine, nothing has come to light,” said Nicholls.

“We will start riding him as he’s bucking and squealing.

“If we were to run him again, it would not be in a big race, it will be late in the season.”

The idea of Nicholls supplementing his impressive Betfair Hurdle winner Pic D’Orhy for the Champion Hurdle has been ruled out.

“I worked him on Friday and he worked a little bit flat,” said Nicholls.

“He has had two hard races quickly and I’ve not seen enough to say if I supplement him, he would win the Champion Hurdle or be placed.

“If we get him really fresh, he will go well over two-and-a-half miles at Aintree on a flat track.

“I think that is what we are thinking and that is almost certainly what will happen.

“Although the Champion Hurdle is open, I’d rather go to Aintree.”

Mister Malarky returned from the wilderness and booked his ticket for the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham after taking the Betway Chase for trainer Colin Tizzard and jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jnr.