Solwhit powers into top tip for Champion Hurdle

SOLWHIT is the new favourite for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham after winning the Toshiba Irish Champion Hurdle yesterday for Charles Byrnes and Davy Russell at Leopardstown.

Russell sat just off a fair gallop set by Ruby Walsh on Celestial Halo but the distress signals were soon being sent out on last year's Champion Hurdle runner-up. Sublimity briefly looked a threat, but Solwhit powered away for a four-and-a-half-length win from Donnas Palm, who caught Sublimity on the line for second.

Totesport now make Solwhit their 7-2 favourite for the big one with Paddy Power even more impressed at 3s.

Byrnes said: "He's absolutely brilliant to jump – the fastest jumper I've ever had. Hopefully we'll get him in the same form for Cheltenham."