Fly rated just 3lb short of Istabraq

HURRICANE FLY has officially been recognised as the best 2m hurdler since Istabraq with a rating just 3lb short of that given to the three-times Champion Hurdle winner at his peak.

The seven-year-old, beaten just twice in 13 starts since he made his debut for Willie Mullins three years ago, was given a rating of 173 in the Anglo-Irish Jump Classifications announced yesterday, which he achieved when he beat his stablemate Thousand Stars easily in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.

He is assessed as having run to172 when he got home by a length and a quarter from Peddlers Cross in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on his previous start.