Fly set for Cheltenham boost
Little problems along the way have delayed the seven-year-old’s rise to the top, but he has been in terrific form this campaign and, for the first time, Willie Mullins has had a clear run with him.
Hurricane Fly began by beating Solwhit a hard-earned length and a half in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse in December and that was a solid effort, against an opponent who had the benefit of a previous outing.
The selection then confirmed his superiority over Solwhit when beating him an easy two lengths in a Grade 1 on this track at Christmas.
The improving Thousand Stars and useful mare Voler La Vedette add spice to the contest, but anything less than an emphatic Hurricane Fly success will leave his Cheltenham hopes in tatters.
Mullins can also supply the answer to a cracking Grade 1 Frank Ward Solicitors’ Novice Chase with Flat Out. Admittedly, he is short on experience, relative to his rivals, but if there is a potential star in the field it is surely him.
A decent hurdler, Flat Out was only marking time at that game and there was a lot to like about his debut over fences at Punchestown, notwithstanding a couple of errors on the way round, when scoring by 13 lengths.
Mullins’ Ballyhaunis gets the nod in the Grade 2 Synergy Security Solutions Novice Hurdle, having coasted to wins in modest races at Listowel and Thurles.
Hidden Cyclone looks the biggest worry. A close third behind First Lieutenant and Zaidpour at Leopardstown last time, he continues to be something of a talking horse and this will tell us more.
Buck Barrow, who has run into a pair of smart Mullins horses in Gagewell Flyer (Navan) and Cottrelsbooley (Leopardstown), gets the nap in the Frank Conroy Memorial Maiden Hurdle.
If Gowran Park survives a 7.30 am inspection then Edward O’Grady’s Rocco’s Hall can run a big race in the Connolly’s Red Mills Thyestes Chase.
He was upsides eventual winner Droim Toll at Fairyhouse last time when crashing into the final fence, unseating Andrew McNamara.
He deserved better, having jumped impeccably to that point and, in a wide-open contest, has a life off bottom weight and with Patrick Mangan claiming a further 5lbs.
Mourad gets the nap in the Galmoy Hurdle. Testing conditions hold no fears for him and there was much to admire in the manner in which he travelled at Leopardstown when beating Powerstation by two lengths.
Tony Mullins’ Ahyaknowyerself gets the nod in the New Tote Daily Double Bumper. The penalised runners appear vulnerable and Ahyaknowyerself won’t have to step up too much on his neck second to Under The Arch at Thurles to go close.
* The showpiece fixture at Leopardstown is expected to go ahead as there is no longer any frost in the ground.
