Bookies braced for festival Hurricane

Bookmakers are likely to be running for cover if the mighty Hurricane Fly can strike a blow for punters and successfully defend his crown in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham today.

The Willie Mullins-trained superstar will be the first of four horses putting their titles on the line in the championship races at the Festival, with Champion Chase favourite Sizing Europe, World Hurdle ’good thing’ Big Buck’s and Gold Cup hero Long Run completing the quartet over the week.

It is far from inconceivable all four could collect, a thought that has the layers quivering on the eve of the Prestbury Park jamboree.