Walsh: Age no barrier to Hurricane

Ruby Walsh is confident Hurricane Fly’s advancing years were not to blame for his disappointing effort in last week’s Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Willie Mullins’ record-breaking 10-year-old was aiming to secure a third victory in the showpiece event on the opening day of the Festival but weakened tamely from the home turn to finish fourth behind younger guns Jezki, My Tent Or Yours and the unlucky The New One.

Asked whether age was catching up with the brilliant hurdler, Walsh said: “People are going to say that and that’s the obvious answer, but I honestly don’t think so.