Willie Mullins feels Hurricane Fly is back to the level he was at two years ago as the nine-year-old prepares to go in search of his third BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle crown in succession at Leopardstown on Sunday.

This is going to be a particularly quiet weekend for me. I’m suspended today and have only one ride at Navan tomorrow, Willie Mullins’ Suntiep in a two miles and seven maiden hurdle.

Much interest at Downpatrick today, should the meeting survive an 8.00am inspection, will centre on Patrick Mullins.

Joseph O’Brien moved seven ahead of Pat Smullen, 85-78, in the title-race when providing his trainer-father Aidan with a birthday double at the Curragh yesterday.

Niall ‘Boots’ Madden continued his amazing run of success for owner J P McManus when Whatever It Takes landed a tidy gamble in the featured E.P.S. Pumps Handicap Hurdle in Ballinrobe last night.

Irish raiders were out of luck as Usual Suspects took Grade One honours in the Prix Alain Du Breil at Auteuil yesterday.

Irish raiders were out of luck as Usual Suspects took Grade One honours in the Prix Alain Du Breil at Auteuil.

Quel Esprit is a strong fancy to outstay his rivals in the rescheduled thetote.com Gold Cup at the final stage of a somewhat traumatic Punchestown festival this afternoon.

Henry de Bromhead’s An Dearthair Og can land the second division of the Follow @TipperaryRaces On Twitter Maiden Hurdle at Tipperary this evening.

Countrywide Flame sprang a 33-1 surprise for North Yorkshire-based trainer John Quinn and jockey Dougie Costello in a dramatic race for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Big Buck’s put more than a smile on my face with a great performance in the World Hurdle yesterday.

Dermot Weld’s sole Festival success came in the Triumph Hurdle in 1990 with Rare Holiday, but the Master of Rosewell House played down the win claims of his runner Hisaabaat, who won the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown, in today’s renewal.

All the leading fancies, including ante-post favourite Grumeti, are among the 32 remaining entries in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday.

Hisaabaat opened his account over jumps with a smooth win in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Shadow Catcher produced a very taking performance on his debut over hurdles at Punchestown on New Year's Eve and he looks great value to follow up in tomorrow's Grade 1 Spring Juvenile at Leopardstown.

Exciting novices Sprinter Sacre and Cue Card are the star names among eight entries for the Betfair Super Saturday Chase at Newbury.

This weekend is all about the return of Hurricane Fly, who will attempt to tighten his grip on the Champion Hurdle market in the BHP Insurance-sponsored Irish version at Leopardstown tomorrow.

DESSIE HUGHES has made no secret of the regard in which he holds Minsk, his high-profile recruit off the level from John Oxx.

Ut De Sivola gave odds-on backers a scare in the Visit Punchestown.com Juvenile Hurdle.

THE concluding maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe this evening provides an opportunity for Val O’Brien’s Abarta to finally get off the mark under rules.