Byrnes duo back
Charles Byrnes is set to welcome back stable stars Weapon's Amnesty and Solwhit after lengthy absences.
Last Updated: 20/09/12 11:36am
Charles Byrnes is keeping everything crossed he can keep Weapon's Amnesty and Solwhit in one piece this season after welcoming his two stable stars back into training following lengthy absences.
Weapon's Amnesty has been sidelined by a serious tendon injury since winning the RSA Chase at the 2010 Cheltenham Festival, but is now back in work and could be ready for a return to the racecourse by November.
He can be backed at 33-1 for next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup.
"He's back in and everything is good at the moment. He's building up nicely. Please god everything stays that way," said Byrnes.
"It was quite a bad one (injury), so we'll just have to see how it goes. I'm very happy with him at this stage, he's doing everything right.
"Hopefully he'll be ready to run again around November time."
Six-time Grade One-winning hurdler Solwhit has not been since chasing home old rival Hurricane Fly in the 2011 Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, but he too is pleasing Byrnes after returning to work.
This time last year the eight-year-old was being readied for a novice chase campaign, but those plans have been shelved at this stage.
"He's at the same stage as Weapons Amnesty, but his injury wasn't quite as bad. Hopefully he'll be OK," said Byrnes.
"Again 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."
With Weapon's Amnesty and Solwhit both out of action, one of the trainer's stars of last season was talented youngster Trifolium.
The five-year-old was third in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham and just touched off by Alderwood in a Grade One at Punchestown.
"He's been back in for a while and could be ready to run in about a month," said Byrnes.
"He's still only a young horse so we've decided to keep him over hurdles this season.
"Obviously he still has to improve a good bit, but he is young and should improve."