'Class horse' Solness stars on fine day for Carriganog as Joseph O'Brien completes a double

Having failed to see out the Galway Plate trip on his last start, the drop back to 2m1f proved ideal for topweight Solness in the feature Kerry Group Handicap Chase. The 5lb claim of rider Oakley Brown was not an insignificant factor either, and it was a very nice winner for him in his second stint of attachment to the Joseph O'Brien stable.

It could have been a different story. The six-year-old was fortunate not to be hampered or worse by the fall of the disputing Mount Frisco at the first fence on the final circuit, and being left in the lead that early was probably not ideal. But the horse showed all of his class in a winnable handicap for the money.

Assistant trainer Sean Corby said: "He did it well. He travelled well the whole way and toughed it out when the other horse came to him. He is a class horse on his day, he carried the weight well and Oakley's claim helped.

"Oakley rode him before when he was fourth in a big handicap at the Punchestown festival and he's a valuable 5lb claimer to have. He's back with us five days a week and does a morning somewhere else too. The horse travels well over that trip and it seems ideal."

Salvador leads home stable 1-2

Solness's success was the second leg of a double for O'Brien. The stable also won the other chase on the card, indeed saddling the first two home in the 2m1½f novice contest. It was not in the order that punters expected, though, as the Richie Deegan-ridden 15-2 shot San Salvador got the better of French import Jordans under JJ Slevin, making his stable debut.

Corby said: "JJ had the pick and went for Jordans. There wasn't much between them, as you can see, and they both ran well. 

"Jordans is a French horse who was having his first run for Joseph and had been showing plenty at home. He ran well and hopefully there is more improvement to come with him.

"San Salvador's jumping came together and Richie said he jumped better. He has always had plenty of ability and got it all together today."

Zaynab straight into gear 

There was not long to wait for one of the more popular runners on the opening day of the Harvest festival, as the Gordon Elliott-trained Zaynab made a winning debut in the opening juvenile hurdle.

Zaynab and Sam Ewing ping another flight on their way to winning the opening juvenile hurdleCredit: Patrick McCann

A filly with a rating of 86 on the Flat, who is a half-sister to high-class hurdler-chaser Zanahiyr and who was in receipt of considerable allowances, all proved an irresistible combination as she posted a smart victory in the hands of Sam Ewing.  

Settled just behind the pace and jumping well, she quickened up nicely and won by four lengths from previous dual winner Teriferma. 

Plenty of credit is due to the runner-up, who was attempting to give 17lb to Zaynab.

Assistant trainer Lisa O'Neill said: "She was very good. She had been keen before, which is why we put the hood on her, but she was okay today and looked a natural jumper. 

"Jack Kennedy has done a lot of work on her at home and it was a nice start. Sam felt she had loads left from the back of the last. 

"The key was that she had to settle and Sam got that done, she had all the energy she needed at the end. We will most likely go to Down Royal now."

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