Hurricane storms to Champion Hurdle win

Hurricane Fly narrowly got the better of Solwhit in a pulsating finish to the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.

Off the track since November due to injury, the six-year-old Hurricane Fly was sent off at 3-1 to make a winning return under Paul Townend.

Travelling with his zest throughout, the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old cruised up to challenge for the lead in the straight and looked like running away with the Grade One prize.

Last year’s winner Solwhit proved a tough nut to crack at the head of affairs, however, and for a moment looked as though he would take the glory again, but Hurricane Fly mowed him down to score by a neck.