Hurricane blow for Mullins
He had to miss the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown ten days ago with a splint problem and Mullins has now lost the fight to get him to Prestbury Park.
Speaking last night, Mullins said: “He has a splint problem and it will come right, but the timing is just wrong.
“He was making great progress, but has stopped progressing over the last two or three days. We gave it every chance and will now aim him for Punchestown.
“I would have needed to be stepping up his work this week, but cannot do that, so I told the owner today he has to miss Cheltenham.’
Hurricane Fly was set to be an Irish banker, having produced a scintillating performance at Leopardstown at Christmas.
In the Grade 1 paddypower.com Future Champions’ Novice Hurdle, he trounced Noel Meade’s Go Native to the tune of ten lengths.
That form was put in perspective when Go Native scored easily at Naas last Sunday.
Mullins still has a strong hand in the novice department for Cheltenham with the hugely exciting pair, Cousin Vinny and Mikael d’Haguenet.
He refused, however, to be drawn on their likely targets, but Cousin Vinny will surely head for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle now, with Mikael d’Haguenet doing duty in the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle.
Cashmans revised Supreme Novices Hurdle betting is: 7/2 Cousin Vinny, 6 Torphichen, 12 Ainama, Red Moloney, 14 Michael Flips, 16 Eradicate, Copper Bleu, Kangaroo Court, Medermit, Go Native, Kempes, 20 Golan Way, 33 Bar
