Late decision on Solwhit

Champion Hurdle contender still coughing

Last updated: 11th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Solwhit

Solwhit: Still coughing

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Solwhit's participation in Tuesday's Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle remains in the balance despite an upbeat report from trainer Charles Byrnes.

The six-year-old scoped badly earlier in the week and the handler admits time is not on the horse's side.

"He's slightly improved today, but the worry is we're running out of days at this stage," Byrnes reported on Thursday.

"He still hasn't stopped coughing fully and gave one or two (coughs) today.

"But we gave him a canter this morning and the jockey who rides him said he feels as good as ever.

"If we scoped him today I still don't think he'd scope clean so he'll finish his medication on Friday morning and then we'll scope on Saturday.

"If he scopes clear we'll at least take him to Cheltenham and then make a decision on Tuesday morning whether to let him take his chance.

"It's annoying as his preparation had gone so well - the amazing thing is there isn't another horse in the yard coughing."