Leopardstown top of the agenda for Solness

A repeat of last year’s festive heroics at Leopardstown is the main aim for Solness, with Joseph O’Brien undecided if he will take part in the Tingle Creek at Sandown next Saturday.

The seven-year-old has recorded both of his Grade One victories at Leopardstown, following up his victory over Christmas last season by downing Marine Nationale in the Dublin Chase during the Dublin Racing Festival.

It is therefore no surprise O’Brien is putting a return to the Irish capital top of his wish list for Solness, and he said: “We’ll see what conditions are going to be like at Sandown. but Leopardstown is where he has been at his best and that will be the target for him.

“Where we go en-route to there remains to be seen, but he’s in good shape.”

Meanwhile, two of the Owning Hill handler’s key Flat performers are gearing up for a trip to Hong Kong, having represented their connections in high-ranking overseas events of late.

Three-time Group One winner Al Riffa will drop back in trip for the Hong Kong Vase having returned beaten but not disgraced in the Melbourne Cup.

He will be joined by Galen, who put up a bold show in the Bahrain International Trophy before being run down late Royal Champion and will tackle the Hong Kong Cup, where he could face Danny Shum’s local hero Romantic Warrior

“Al Riffa and Galen are both intended runners in Hong Kong in December. They both arrived home from their international trips well,” O’Brien added.

“It’s obviously going to be super-competitive racing but we’re privileged to be taking part and are looking forward to it immensely.”