A storming win on the Hurricane
“I don’t know what the sections in the race were, but I didn’t think we went that quick and it was the top if the hill before he settled, that’s the guts of a mile and a half.”
In his column in the Examiner last Saturday, Walsh threw cold water on the notion that he needed to ride winners before the festival to restore his confidence.
“That is for the mentally weak,” he screamed, and this ice-cool rider showed such mutterings were a long way removed from empty bluster.
“I was quite happy with the pace of the race, because I knew I was on the horse with the most speed,” he said.
“He is a wonderful horse and it is great to finally win this race. The lightest weight I have done since I was 16 is 9-12 and I did that to ride Hurricane Fly at Auteuil, that is what I thought of him.
“Physically, I have never felt better, these are the days you dream about when you are sitting in the gym looking into a mirror.”
Overturn carried them along in front, but was never going to stay there for too long. Off the home turn and it was Peddlers Cross and Oscar Whisky who were making the best of their way home.
By now, however, Walsh had Hurricane Fly running like a steam engine. The stand erupted, roaring home a horse who had been backed at 4-1 in the morning and went off the 11-4 favourite.
Hurricane Fly was marginally in front at the last and never flinched on the run-in to beat the high-class Peddlers Cross by a length and a quarter.
Oscar Whisky stayed on to claim third and to top off a smashing race for Mullins his Thousand Stars was fourth.
If ever proof was needed that Walsh is an iron man, then this was it. He was absent for over four months with a broken leg and then at Naas last Wednesday survived a horror fall off King Of The Refs in a maiden hurdle.
But, undaunted, he shrugged off everything which had gone before and emphasised, what many of us have long believed, that here indeed is the greatest National Hunt rider who has ever lived.
Said Walsh: “He ran keen for much of the trip, we did it the hard way. We knew he had this unbelievable speed and class, we always thought he had it.
“He is a deserving champion and a right little horse. He has a big heart and needed it. I was in front a bit earlier than planned, but he never gave me any chance early doors. It would have been better if he was more settled, but there was no point being concerned.
“Willie and Paul (Townend) have done some job with him. I am very grateful to Willie and Paul Nicholls, they have put me straight back on these horses.
“There are ups and downs, good days and bad days in racing. I’ve been second three times in the Champion before, but this was the best ride I have ever had.’
Mullins said: “He (Hurricane Fly) has done everything right this year, he has answered all of the questions.
“People were wondering whether a Montjeu (this was a first festival success for the stallion) could win around here, but the winners we have here before, most of them were by sires who had never had a winner here.
“Irish punters needed a lift and they have got it today. I thought he was a fantastic price for the last month, but didn’t want to open my mouth and tempt fate.
“Niggling injuries kept him away from here for the last two years. But when I was young, I was taught you have to mind a good horse.
“It wasn’t a hard decision to go with Ruby. He is my stable jockey and Paul has had a fantastic innings, while Ruby was out and, hopefully, we can make him champion jockey at home.
“You cannot leave Ruby Walsh on the sidelines when you have the favourite for the Champion Hurdle.”
