Solerina ready made replacement for Limestone Lad. Limestone Lad, successful in three of the last four runnings of the Ballymore Properties Hattons´s Grace Hurdle, is denied adding to his domination of the Fairyhouse Grade 1 event by injury. However the Bowe family appear to have a ready made replacement in the shape of Solerina, writes Alan Magee.A mouth-watering renewal of this 75,000 euro two and a half miles contest is in prospect with Solerina, Sacundai and Scarthy Lad again in opposition after all made pleasing seasonal reappearances behind Back In Front in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown a fortnight ago.The mare only ran out of steam at the final flight and is expected to improve considerably from the run, her first since meeting a training setback after beating subsequent Cheltenham victor Hardy Eustace at Leopardstown in February. Perhaps even more importantly, she will relish this extra half mile, although Sacundai will also be stepping up to his favourite distance.The Edward O´Grady-trained gelding didn´t receive due credit for beating Champion Hurdler Rooster Booster in the Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle in April, and his recent Punchestown effort augurs well for another profitable campaign. For those looking at a value alternative to the big two, it should be remembered that Melbourne Cup flop Holy Orders beat Sacundai over three miles last season in the Stayers Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.There are three Grade 1 races in total on undoubtedly the best National Hunt card so far this term, and Nil Desperandum gets the vote in the Pierse Group Drinmore Novice Chase. Frances Crowley´s charge, a shade behind Pizarro as a novice hurdler last season, has always looked a real chasing type and his recent fencing debut victory at Punchestown confirmed that impression.There are double-figure fields in all the Grade 1´s, and the Boylesports Royal Bond Novice Hurdle looks a particularly competitive affair with 12 going to post. Kim Fontaine has already been touted as a possible star novice this season despite not having jumped a hurdle in public, and the dual bumper winner is thrown in at the deep end in this two miler.
