Fly swats Champion opposition

HURRICANE FLY, despite a tendency to jump a little to his right, cruised to victory in the Grade 1 BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown yesterday.

It was a smooth-as-silk performance, but essentially didn’t reveal anything we didn’t already know - that he is a better horse, indeed by some way - than old rival Solwhit.

Paddy Power left him at 5-1 for the Champion Hurdle and he remains unchanged with Ladbrokes at 9-2.