Solness rewarded the faith of connections who supplemented him into the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown to give Joseph O’Brien a second Grade One success of the Christmas period.
Just 24 hours on from watching Banbridge win the King George VI Chase at Kempton, O’Brien was back home in Ireland to witness the 28-1 scorer lead his rivals a merry dance.
Well beaten behind Jonbon in the Tingle Creek last time out, J J Slevin took no prisoners on the six-year-old and after an early skirmish for the lead, was soon out in front charting a wide passage.
One by one, the big hitters like Gaelic Warrior, Found A Fifty, Dinoblue and Marine Nationale were sending out distress signals, as Solness maintained his advantage at the head of affairs.
Gaelic Warrior, having his first run of the season, did stay on past Marine Nationale to finish second, but was still three and three-quarter lengths behind the victor.
Solness was introduced into the Champion Chase betting at 25-1 by Paddy Power, while Gaelic Warrior was pushed out to 5-1 from 7-2. Jonbon was tightened at the head of the betting to 2-1 from 5-2.
“I actually had this lad in the mile-and-a-half maiden at Dundalk last Friday!” said O’Brien.
“Ground is important to him. I spoke to J J before and he felt that he’d go wide and find the driest strip of ground that he could find.
“He jumped fantastic and looked to be going very smooth all the way through the race.”
The winner was added to proceedings at a cost of €12,500 and O’Brien said: “I probably should have had him in it, to be honest, but the race closed before he ran very well in Navan in graded company.
“Since then, he looked like he was competing at this level, so we had a discussion the other morning and I thought he could sneak into the first three – and he had to be third to get the money back.
“We said we’d take a chance and I’m delighted to win.”
Solness was hampered when losing out narrowly to Found A Fifty at Navan and O’Brien said: “Some days you get the rub of the green and some days you don’t, but we were very happy with the run. What we learned that day was that he could mix it with the graded two-milers.
“Coming here today, we thought he had a real live each-way chance but the ground was a little bit slower than he maybe ideally likes. We said we’d go as wide as we can to get the best strip we can.
“He just got into a great rhythm. I think he made one mistake down the back but he was on the bridle straight away and jumped fantastic from there on.
“I’m delighted for J J as well, to get a Grade One here this week is very special.
“He had a tough day yesterday, getting a couple of falls after being just back from injury. He gave him the most fantastic ride.
“He’s been a great horse for the owners. He’s won a whole bunch of races – hurdles and chases. We’re going to go back and win a Flat race at some stage with him as well.
“I think he’ll head on to a Champion Chase and be an outside contender.”
Barry Connell was pleased with the performance of Marine Nationale in finishing third.
He said: “He was only beaten four lengths. He’s had very little experience over fences and I thought his jumping was very good.
“He had a good blow after it and I think he’s coming forward. I’d like to think he’ll come back for the Dublin Racing Festival and he’ll take another step forward.”
When asked if he could aim at the Champion Chase, Connell added: “Absolutely, why not? He’s finished right alongside Gaelic Warrior who is second-favourite for it.”
