Mullins’ old King ready to take back crown

Willie Mullins could not be happier with Hurricane Fly as his stable star bids to regain his crown in today’s Stan James Champion Hurdle.

A winner of no fewer than 14 Grade One prizes, the nine-year-old is one of the most prolific two-mile hurdlers of the last decade.

However, he arguably returns to Prestbury Park with something to prove, having suffered a shock odds-on reverse when only third 12 months ago behind the reopposing Rock On Ruby.