Bog Warrior got the better of Solwhit in the Follow Punchestown on Facebook Hurdle

Bog Warrior: Punchestown win

The Tony Martin-trained Bog Warrior got the better of Solwhit in the Follow Punchestown on Facebook Hurdle.

The Gigginstown House Stud owned eight-year-old is perhaps better known as a chaser but having won a handicap off a mark of 122 over the smaller obstacles, he took the opportunity to take a step up in grade and landed the goods for favourite backers.

Belle Brook attempted to make the best of her way home under Michael Doran but the main protagonists were happy to sit off her lead and Davy Russell produced the winner at the fourth last.

Solwhit, who had been held up in rear, looked to be travelling the best of the pack as they began to make the final couple of turns towards home but the absence of 708 days away from the track appeared to kick in as the winner, with the aid of a couple of superb leaps, stayed on best in the testing conditions.

The winning trainer said: "I'm thrilled with that. He improved from the north and at Fairyhouse he was good, but that was him today and it's great to see.

"There was no hiding place for anything there. I'll have a chat with the boys now (owners, Gigginstown House Stud) and see what way they want to go.

"It's just great to get a couple of wins with him. I'm just happy to go for something nice after today.

"We'll see how he is in the morning and week ahead. That's the most important thing as he's had a few problems in the past."Paddy Power make Bog Warrior a 12/1 shot for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Charles Byrnes said of Solwhit: "I'm well pleased with that. Andrew (Lynch) said he gave a good blow after the second last and the winner is a good horse on that ground.

"I'm happy going forward now and hopefully he's OK in the morning. We could look at the Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas over two miles and three furlongs (January 19), or the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran (January 24) over three miles.

"I'll probably make an entry for the Irish Champion Hurdle, but I'd doubt if he'd run in it."