Hurricane blows away Leopardstown rivals
Hurricane Fly made a brilliant seasonal reappearance to land back-to-back victories in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Willie Mullins’ imperious performer cruised by his pacemaking stable companion Thousand Stars before the final flight under a confident ride from Ruby Walsh and he went on to win as he liked.
The 4-5 favourite romped home by six and a half lengths from Oscars Well, who managed to grab second place, with Thousand Stars third.
Thousand Stars made sure there was a proper gallop despite the appalling conditions as he took the five runners along.
Oscars Well lay second with Hurricane Fly third, tracked by his main market rival Unaccompanied with rank outsider Kalann at the rear.
There was no change in the order until Walsh asked Hurricane Fly to close before the turn for home and he did so with the minimum of fuss.
Although absent since winning the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in May, Hurricane Fly showed no signs of lack of race fitness as he displayed his superiority in no uncertain manner.
BetVictor cut Hurricane Fly from 13-8 to 10-11 to repeat last season’s success in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, while the sponsors offer 5-6 from 7-4.
