Hurricane can cement Champion Hurdle position

Hurricane Fly can cement his position near the top of the Champion Hurdle market by landing the Grade 1 Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown this afternoon.

His performances last season were essentially disappointing, by the horse’s very high standards, but he came back in good heart in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month. All the old style, speed and swagger seemed to have returned, as he raced to the final flight with Go Native.

The latter crashed at the obstacle, when trying to mount a challenge, and Hurricane Fly was left clear to beat Captain Cee Bee by 12 lengths.