Hurricane Fly looks just Champion

HURRICANE FLY, deprived of the opportunity to run at the festival for the last two years because of niggling injuries, can leave all of that frustration behind by landing the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham this afternoon.

He possesses a high cruising speed and stays further than two miles, which makes Willie Mullins’ seven-year-old the one they all have to beat.

Mullins, for the first time, has had a clear run with his charge this season and Hurricane Fly has finally begun to realise his huge potential. He’s won all three of his races, the latest when coasting away from old rival Solwhit to the tune of three and a half lengths at Leopardstown in the Irish Champion Hurdle in January.