Cautious Mullins happy with Hurricane
“He’s been grand since his last run, which we were obviously delighted with,” said the trainer.
“Hopefully he just stays sound and he can maintain the form he’s been showing.
“I’m not looking beyond Sunday with him. I’m very happy with him at the moment.”
Charles Byrnes believes Hurricane Fly would have to have an off-day for Solwhit to turn the tables on his old rival and would be quite happy to claim the runner-up spot once again.
“He’s come out of his last race very well and he’s in great form,” said the Co Limerick trainer.
“We are limited where we can go with him at this time of year so we’ve decided to let him take his chance.
“We’re not expecting to beat Hurricane Fly, but we’d be very happy to come home second.
“From what I can see Hurricane Fly seems to be settling better in his races so obviously he’s a lot stronger.
“He seems to be the real deal. One never knows if Hurricane Fly has an off-day. That’s obviously the main reason why you have to take your chance.”
Although Solwhit has been given an entry in the Champion Hurdle, he is likely to swerve Cheltenham and head to Liverpool for the Aintree Hurdle which he won in April 2009.
“It’s probably more Aintree than Cheltenham at this stage,” Byrnes went on.
Colm Murphy's talented mare Voler La Vedette was third behind the big two over Christmas and the Co Wexford handler would be happy with minor honours again.
“Touch wood, she seems in good form so hopefully all goes well,” said Murphy.
“Hurricane Fly is obviously going to be very hard to beat but if we can run into a bit of prize money we’ll be happy enough with her.”
Robbie Hennessy's 2007 Champion Hurdle hero Sublimity may not be the force of old, but he showed he is not done with yet when scoring on his latest appearance at Cork.
“He’s in good old form and we were thrilled to get him back in the winner’s enclosure the last day,” said Hennessy.
