Hurricane Fly on Target for November Return
Hopes are high that reigning champion hurdler, Hurricane Fly, can continue to show the same superb level of form this coming season that he did last term when regaining his crown in great fashion at Cheltenham in March, defeating former champion Rock On Ruby.
One of the best hurdlers of recent times, Hurricane Fly has lost only once since November 2009, that shock defeat coming in the 2012 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham when he failed to produce his usual level of form in finishing third behind Rock On Ruby and the gallant Overturn.
Last term, Willie Mullins’ stable star bounced back in style to silence his critics with a flawless run of top-notch performances that began with him winning the Grade 1 Dobbins and Madigans@Punchestown Morgiana Hurdle. According to the latest updates from betfair, the plan for this campaign is to begin in the very same race.
Indeed, Mullins sees no reason whatsoever to change a winning formula, so as long as the son of Montjeu remains fit and well he will replicate last season’s campaign by following his Punchestown return with a visit to Leopardstown’s Christmas fixture for the Istabraq Festival Hurdle, a race in which he slammed Dermot Weld’s smart mare, Unaccompanied, by seven lengths last season.
A return to Leopardstown for the Irish Champion Hurdle in January will precede his bid to retain his hurdling crown at Cheltenham in March, a race for which Hurricane Fly is currently a 5/1 joint-favourite with young pretender, Our Conor, Dessie Hughes’ unbeaten Triumph Hurdle winner who has been heralded as the ‘new kid on the block’.
Hurricane Fly has won 20 of his 31 career starts, including a stunning 16 victories at Grade 1 level that have contributed to a staggering tally of £1.47 million in total prize money.
