Hurricane's no fly by night

Hurricane Fly is now William Hill’s outright Champion Hurdle favourite following his comprehensive defeat of old nemesis Solwhit in the paddypower.com iPhone App Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Shark Hanlon’s Luska Lad set a generous pace up front, but Paul Townend was keen not to let him get too far away on the 8-11 favourite as Solwhit tracked him into the straight.

While Davy Russell went for a daring run up the inner on Solwhit, he lost all chance with a slight mistake at the last.

By contrast, Hurricane Fly was spring-heeled and went clear to win by two and a half lengths from Solwhit, who pipped Luska Lad for second.

“I thought the run at Fairyhouse took a good bit out of him and was afraid that he was a little bit flat coming here,” said trainer Willie Mullins.

“But he had to take his chance, and once again he showed what a turn of foot he has.

“There is nothing set in stone but I would like to get three runs into him before Cheltenham, and I’d say he’ll come back here for the Irish Champion Hurdle next month.”

Mullins was celebrating a double having won with Cottrelsbooley, the even-money favourite, in the paddypower.com Android App Maiden Hurdle.

Big Zeb (even-money favourite) did his prospects of retaining his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown no harm when taking the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase to add to his success in 2008.

Colm Murphy’s ace got the best of last year’s winner Golden Silver to score by a length and three-quarters – the highlight of a 59-1 treble for jockey Barry Geraghty.

“He’ll go next for the Tied Cottage at Punchestown and then back to Cheltenham for the Champion Chase,” said Murphy.

Geraghty also struck on the Prunella Dobbs-trained Our Girl Salley (3-1) in the ITBA Fillies Scheme EBF Mares Hurdle and on The Shepherd (13-2) for Gordon Elliott in the Betting at paddypower.mobile Handicap Hurdle.

Dermot Weld worked his magic once more when Majestic Concorde sprang a 33-1 surprise in the Paddy Power Chase.

Last seen running over fences when third in the Galway Plate in July, he was given a very confident ride by his amateur jockey Robbie McNamara.

The seven-year-old jumped the last well to seal a two-and-a-half-length victory from Becauseicouldntsee to earn a 33-1 quote for the Grand National from William Hill.

There was a shock in the paddypowerpoker.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle when Willie Mullins’ Zaidpour could finish only second behind First Lieutenant (16-1).

Easy winner of the Royal Bond Hurdle, Zaidpour never travelled with the same fluency as he had at Fairyhouse and Paul Townend was niggling some way out.

First Lieutenant, trained by Mouse Morris, hit the front after the last and held the 1-4 shot by a neck.

Jim Will Fix It (8-1), trained by Seamus Roche, held Mississippi River by a short head in the paddypower.com Future Champions (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race