Racing Leopardstown Christmas Festival: Solerina could yet get the chance to take the remarkable success story of the Bowe family on to another level if she can win at Leopardstown on Sunday week.
Permit holder James Bowe and his family are considering an audacious attempt on the Smurfit Champion Hurdle in March for Solerina but only if the mare can win on the final day of the Leopardstown Christmas festival.
Solerina is one of 18 left in the Bewley's Hotel Hurdle and could face a rematch with Back In Front, who beat her into third place in last month's Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
However, since then she has progressed to score in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle and the Scientific Hurdle at Navan last weekend which has left her connections keen to have another crack at the minimum two-mile trip over Christmas.
"Going into the Morgiana we thought she was quite fit even though she hadn't run in nine months. But I think she may have lacked that bit of mental sharpness. We're happy she has improved and she won really well on Sunday. We couldn't have asked for more. She jumps very well," said John Bowe, the official owner of Solerina, yesterday.
Significantly however, he added: "If she wins at Christmas, and if the ground was anyway on the soft side at Cheltenham, the Champion Hurdle would be the first preference."
Even considering the success of Limestone Lad in the past, a possible Champion Hurdle victory would be one of the most remarkable racing achievements of recent years for a four-strong family operation in Co Kilkenny.
The Bowe string, which are mainly trained by Michael Bowe, can already boast Grade One form for three of its inmates. In the Hatton's Grace, Solerina was chased home by her stable companion Florida Coast while Limestone Lad is on the sidelines.
Solerina's Champion Hurdle chances were rated at 16 to 1 by Paddy Power yesterday with Back In Front the shortest priced Irish contender on 8 to 1. However, his trainer Edward O'Grady said that he will work his stable star in the morning before deciding on Back In Front's next start.
The third-day highlight at Leopardstown will be the Ericsson chase which could yet end up featuring the likes of Best Mate and Keen Leader as well as the top home stayers, Beef Or Salmon at Harbour Pilot.
One regular Ericsson contender in the past who will probably be missing this time is Native Upmanship who is instead being targeted at a Dial-A-Bet Chase clash with the reigning two mile champion, Moscow Flyer.
"At the moment that is the way I feel but I will take a look at the Ericsson before I finally decide," said Native Upmanship's trainer Arthur Moore yesterday.
"He is in particularly good form and his run in the Durkan seems to have woken him up. I think he just lacked a competitive run before that race and he was a bit relaxed in himself," Moore added.
Jessica Harrington reported: "Everything has gone well for Moscow Flyer since the Tingle Creek and the plan is to run at Leopardstown again." Moscow Flyer won the Dial-A-Bet last year.
A total of €1.12 million will be the prize fund for the four days at Leopardstown with the opening afternoon highlight being the Denny Gold Medal Chase. The weekend winner Colnel Rayburn appears to be a likely contender for that Grade One pot.
The Leopardstown manager Matt O'Dwyer said yesterday: "The ground at the moment is on the better side of yielding and there is very little rain forecast for the area until Monday."
Up to 70,000 people are expected to attend the festival over the four days and with work continuing on the nearby M50, the advice from the Leopardstown authorities yesterday was to arrive early.
