Five-star Fly brings the house down in Champion
At Leopardstown yesterday, Willie Mullins’ veteran did what he does best, got down and dirty when the need was greatest to land a record breaking fifth BHP Insurances Irish Champion Hurdle. The previous record was four, held by another legend, Istabraq.
Truth to tell, Hurricane Fly has often travelled a lot better in his races and looked in big trouble coming away from the fourth last.
But when the going gets tough the tough get going and the 11-year-old, typically, simply refused to face what shaped as the seemingly inevitable.
Tony McCoy made his move two out on Jezki, but by now Ruby Walsh had Hurricane Fly moving with far more menace than at any other stage of the contest.
The big two raced to the last together, but Jezki stepped right into the hurdle and was instantly beaten.
Indeed, Jezki was soon passed on the flat and beaten for second by Hurricane Fly’s stable companion, Arctic Fire. Commented Mullins: “I though the pace was slow for the first two furlongs and then he lost his position.
“But down the back they took off. When push came to shove, he got down to racing. You could have your life on him jumping the last that he wouldn’t make a mistake. There is no doubt in my mind that he will go to Cheltenham.”
And his price for the Champion Hurdle was universally slashed, with Ladbrokes going 7-1 from 10’s. Boylesports decided 8-1 from 12-1 was the way to go and there was a hint of an over-reaction from Paddy Power, 5-1 from double those odds.
Continuing Mullins said: “It is great to get the record, we are now just enjoying days like this. At his age it is just incredible that he keeps pulling it out.”
Walsh, of course, is now likely to be faced with making a choice between his old friend and ante-post favourite, Faugheen, for Cheltenham.
Quizzed about that, Mullins replied: “I’m sure Ruby will ask my advice, but I won’t interfere.
“There are six or seven weeks to go to Cheltenham and horses being horses have a way of making decisions for you.”
For Hurricane Fly it was an amazing 22nd win at Grade 1 level and maintained his unbeaten record at Leopardstown, which now stands at ten from ten.
Said Walsh: “When I was trying to get to AP (on Jezki), I was a little worried. But when I saw him going for his whip I knew I had him.
“When I got more aggressive with Hurricane he started to pick up. I felt I was getting the best of it at the last, going on past performances he wasn’t going to shirk the issue.”
So who will he ride in the Champion Hurdle? “I will make my mind up an hour after declaration time’, was the response.
“He’s come here and won this five times and 22 Grade 1’s. He’s a pleasure to ride, a credit to Willie and all the staff at Closutton. He’s just a marvellous little horse.”
Walsh admitted to being blown away by the reception accorded to Hurricane Fly and himself in the winner’s enclosure. It could be best described as Cheltenham-like.”
Jezki’s trainer, Jessica Harrington, reported: “Tony (McCoy) said he was beaten going to the last.
“Hurricane Fly is very hard to beat around here, but the main thing is that our horse was fine afterwards and it’s onwards to Cheltenham.”
