Hurricane Fly still fighting against time

Hurricane Fly still faces a race against time to be fit for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle in March as he continues to recover from a suspensory ligament injury.

Willie Mullins’ five-year-old went into the summer as the ante-post favourite for the championship event after his stunning display at the Punchestown Festival, but he suffered a surprise reverse on his only start this campaign when third to Solwhit.

He was subsequently found to be suffering from injury and Mullins admits Cheltenham will be a tight call.

The Irish champion trainer said: “He is still recovering from the injury to his suspensory ligament injury.

“They normally take about six weeks which doesn’t bode well for Cheltenham but we will see how we go.”