Remarkable Hurricane Fly out-battles Jezki in thriller
It is, of course, a cliché to say racing was the real winner, but that certainly more than adequately sums up what was truly a magnificent contest.
Where do you start when it comes to Hurricane Fly, who will celebrate his 11th birthday in just two days time?
This was his 21st success at Grade 1 level, his fourth Ryanair and his score at Leopardstown now stands at an extraordinary nine from nine.
Whatever about the horse at Cheltenham, he is, quite simply, unbeatable around this track.
It could have been all so different, however, after Hurricane Fly had guessed at the opening flight.
Explained Ruby Walsh: “The first hurdle nearly cost me the race. He stood at the shadow of the flight. The shadow was five yards and he stood outside it. He landed on top of the hurdle and you can see the furze underneath the girth.’’
It seemed to unnerve Hurricane Fly, at least a little, and his jumping technique was a trifle sketchy, before hitting his usual rhythm.
There was no hiding place, with J P McManus having two other runners in the race, Plinth and Alderwood, to go with Jezki.
Plinth set a strong gallop, with Alderwood second. Said Walsh: “The horses in front kept building the pace all of the time down the back.
“It turned into a real test of stamina and I would have wanted to be travelling as well as I was coming away from the second last.’’
Tony McCoy made his move off the home turn on Jezki, but Walsh was ready and soon had Hurricane Fly in full flow and poised to challenge.
They roared down to the last, both of them flew it and then it really was a case of who wanted it the most.
Jezki never flinched, but this is where Hurricane Fly is at his best and he answered every call to beat his rival narrowly, with Arctic Fire, from the back, running a cracker to claim an honourable third.
Walsh rarely gets animated, away from Cheltenham, but was full of emotion, on a horse that means so much to him. The heroes returned to a tremendous reception.
Continuing Walsh said: “We have had some very good days here, this horse has the heart of a lion.
“We got an amazing reception. Irish racegoers really appreciate a good horse and they know they have a good one here. But it takes two good horses to make a race.
“There is great credit due to everyone at Closutton. You hear people going on about horses on the flat after two years, but he has been around for seven years.’’
Said Mullins: “That was a fantastic race, win, lose or draw! It was a hugely tactical race. Jezki’s (connection) had the numbers to sort out the tactics. Hurricane Fly is never finished, he just toughed it out all the way to the line.
“I thought the ground might have been a bit softer, but we had frost last night and I knew that would count against him. We have come up here over the years and been relived when he’s won. The pressure is off and people are just hoping he will win.
“I’m enjoying his wins more now, the pressure is not the way it used to be. He didn’t look happy going away on the bend after the stands, it took him about a mile to warm up.
“We expected Jezki to be better today, but knew we were better as well, there’s not much between them.
“I think he is the best anyone has trained over jumps, I’ll never have another horse like him.’’
Jessica Harrington was happy with the performance of Jezki. She said: “He’s fine after that and will head off to Cheltenham. Hopefully, the hill will make a bit of a difference.’’
Hurricane Fly, of course, is a dual champion hurdler at Cheltenham, but has also been twice beaten in the race.
Should he return in March, it will be a big ask for him to match strides with two much younger rivals in Faugheen and The New One.
Bookmaker reaction was to largely leave him unchanged at around 12-1 for the Champion Hurdle, hardly a surprise, while Jezki is generally available at 6’s.
