Solo is officially the highest rated novice hurdler in Britain after Saturday’s Adonis romp

Solo leaves bookies running for cover following Adonis romp

Paul Nicholls 4yo is now officially rated 157 ahead of the likes of Tolworth winner Fiddlerontheroof (154) and Supreme fav Shishkin (153)

SOLO burst onto the JCB Triumph Hurdle scene after demolishing rivals by 13 lengths on his British debut in Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton.

Nicholls said after the race:

“I’m obviously delighted. He showed us at home he was quite smart, but I wanted to see that sort of performance. As I said earlier with Pic D’Orhy, sometimes these French horses come over and you don’t know whether they have acclimatised, but he has. He has been a joy to train and does everything nicely. He is dead relaxed and did that impressively. He thrives on every bit of work you give him. The Triumph will suit him nicely. At the moment he would head up our juveniles and he is very smart. He will definitely have to run in the Triumph now, so fingers crossed he stays healthy over the next two weeks.”

The last time Nicholls completed the Adonis-Triumph Hurdle double was with Zarkandar back in 2011. However both Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden feel he is more a chaser for the future.

Nicholls said:

“He is bigger and scopier than Zarkandar, as he was a Flat horse making his debut here, whereas he (Solo) won well at Auteuil the last day. I thought he was decent and he looks a proper horse. He strikes me of being in the model of Master Minded, as he is a big, strong horse that will make a lovely chaser one day.”

Latest ratings released

Solo – 157 (+11)
Fiddlerontheroof – 154
Shishkin – 153
Goshen – 151
Ramses De Teillee – 151
Thyme Hill – 150
Sporting John – 149
Master Debonair – 149