Mullins happy with Hurricane
The Willie Mullins-trained star cleaned up in the two-mile division last season, landing this Grade One prize before going on to further Champion Hurdle success at Cheltenham and later at Punchestown.
The eight-year-old bypassed intended comeback runs at Punchestown in November and at Leopardstown over Christmas as the champion trainer revealed he was not happy with his charge, but he now looks set to grace the racecourse for the first time this season.
Mullins is much happier with Hurricane Fly now than he was a month ago but expects his charge will improve for the run.
He said: “He is a hell of a horse and probably only once or twice in your lifetime might you come across a horse with that sort of ability.
“He is hard to train as he is so tough on himself and we can’t let him do what he wants to do.
“I just want to keep him right and if he gets beaten, he gets beaten.
“Hopefully he will improve for the run. He is a horse that has a habit of getting himself into trouble at home, but he seems to be right now.”
Mullins could also be represented by Thousand Stars, while talented mares Voler La Vedette and Unaccompanied remain in the mix.
Jessica Harrington’s Oscars Well and Kalann from the Sabrina Harty yard complete the small but select field.
There will be no British interest after Nicky Henderson withdrew both Binocular and Spirit Son, as anticipated.
Stan James make Hurricane Fly the 1-2 favourite to make a winning return to action, with Christmas winner Unaccompanied next best at 3-1.
Joe Burke, representing Stan James Ireland, said: “There may only be six left in Sunday’s Irish Champion Hurdle, but five of them are Grade One winners and the race marks the return of the reigning Stan James Champion Hurdle winner and favourite for the 2012 renewal in Hurricane Fly.
“Unaccompanied will never have a better chance of beating him as she has the advantage of race fitness in addition to the fact that she is getting 9lb from him on Sunday.
“However, Willie Mullins has proven on numerous occasions in the past that he is the master at getting his horses ready for their seasonal debut. It promises to be a thrilling race.”
BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle, Stan James bet: 1-2 Hurricane Fly, 3-1 Unaccompanied, 7-1 Thousand Stars, 10-1 Oscars Well, 100-1 Kalann.
