Hurricane Fly strolled to victory on his seasonal reappearance when he landed the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.
The 2011 Champion Hurdle hero didn’t have to come off the bridle under the hands of Ruby Walsh and it was an impressive performance for a horse that hasn’t been seen since winning at Punchestown in May.
Willie Mullins’ stable star was six and a half lengths clear of Jessia Harrinton’s Oscar Well, while Thousand Stars was third and Unaccompanied disappointed back in fourth.
A delighted Mullins explained: "He completely surprised me. It must be as good a performance as he's ever produced.
"They went a right good gallop. Ruby said he wasn't travelling in the ground early on but once he put him in the race three out, he came alive.
"I was a bit anxious about the ground and he was very quiet beforehand, but maybe he's just maturing.
"Normally it takes two lads to lead him as he can be a bit tight. We had been worried before Cheltenham last year how he would handle everything, including the parade, but he went round like a handicapper today.
"I was a little concerned he would flop as my first two runners disappointed. I was surprised how fit he appeared. We'll keep a lid on him between now and Cheltenham."
After the race
Coral were one of the only firms brave enough to lay even money on Hurricane Fly winning the 2012 Champion Hurdle and the firm’s David Stevens explained: "It may have been a delayed reappearance for Hurricane Fly, but it was well worth waiting for, and having proved his wellbeing in emphatic fashion, he is now red-hot favourite for back-to-back Champion Hurdle wins.”
Hurricane Fly wins the Irish Champion Hurdle
