The 2009 Champion Hurdler, Punjabi, is back in training with Nicky Henderson and about to launch a novice chase career. In his owners day briefing Henderson comments:
(Punjabi) Obviously needs to introduction, although we basically decided to give him a sabbatical last year,and not only did he deserve it after all his heroics winning Champion Hurdles in England and Ireland and so many other top class races,there were just a few creeks which were not surprisingly just general wear and tear. He has come back looking and moving like a new horse, and despite the fact that he is nine,we will embark on a novice chase career. We have already schooled him over fences and I am sure this is the easiest route for him to take.
In addition to the 2009 Champion Hurdle, Punjabi won the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle and Punchestown Champion Hurdles in 2008, and the Champion 4-Y-O Hurdle at Punchestown in 2007.
Another top class hurdler on the comeback trail is Solwhit. A six time grade 1 winner Solwhit has been off the track since finishing behind old rival Hurricane Fly in the 2011 Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. In 2011 the talk was of Solwhit going down the novice chase route but there appear to have been a change of plans trainer Charles Byrmes commented.
he will hopefully be back on the course in November time and everything is good at the moment. I think we’ll probably stay over hurdles now. He’ll have a run in November and then maybe one at Christmas and then we’ll see where we are. We might have to go over fences in the New Year, but at the moment we are looking at staying over hurdles.
The 2009 Champion Hurdler, Punjabi, is back in training with Nicky Henderson and about to launch a novice chase career. In his owners day briefing Henderson comments:
(Punjabi) Obviously needs to introduction, although we basically decided to give him a sabbatical last year,and not only did he deserve it after all his heroics winning Champion Hurdles in England and Ireland and so many other top class races,there were just a few creeks which were not surprisingly just general wear and tear. He has come back looking and moving like a new horse, and despite the fact that he is nine,we will embark on a novice chase career. We have already schooled him over fences and I am sure this is the easiest route for him to take.
In addition to the 2009 Champion Hurdle, Punjabi won the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle and Punchestown Champion Hurdles in 2008, and the Champion 4-Y-O Hurdle at Punchestown in 2007.
Another top class hurdler on the comeback trail is Solwhit. A six time grade 1 winner Solwhit has been off the track since finishing behind old rival Hurricane Fly in the 2011 Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. In 2011 the talk was of Solwhit going down the novice chase route but there appear to have been a change of plans trainer Charles Byrmes commented.
he will hopefully be back on the course in November time and everything is good at the moment. I think we’ll probably stay over hurdles now. He’ll have a run in November and then maybe one at Christmas and then we’ll see where we are. We might have to go over fences in the New Year, but at the moment we are looking at staying over hurdles.
