RACING FAIRYHOUSE REPORT:HURRICANE FLY has always possessed quality but the way he lit up an overcast Fairyhouse yesterday had bookmakers scrambling to find a place for him in ante-post lists for March's Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The Willie Mullins-trained star might not still be a unanimous pick for favouritism but if weather conditions play ball that may not be long changing.
Leopardstown’s December Festival Hurdle in a fortnight’s time and the Irish Champion Hurdle in January are options for Hurricane Fly. However, even if racing freezes to a halt, the memory of his Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace success yesterday will convince many he is the one to beat in March should he make the festival at the third time of asking.
Despite pre-race concerns about ground conditions, and that he was having his first start of the season, Paul Townend delivered Hurricane Fly with a devastating run to sweep past his old rival Solwhit and leave no one in doubt about his superiority.
“That was fantastic first time out and it looks like he has improved a fair bit. I would hope for more to come too,” Mullins said afterwards.
“He pulled hard early but Paul gave him a terrific ride and got a breather into him. And he got his head down when I thought he might just need it.”
That resolution will be a potent weapon when Hurricane Fly comes up against Menorah, Binocular, Peddlers Cross and the rest in what is turning into a vintage Champion Hurdle crop because one thing that has never been in doubt is his class.
In the spring of his three-year-old flat career in France, the son of Montjeu beat two subsequent Group One winners in a mile Listed event at Saint-Cloud. Literato won a Champion Stakes and Spirit One an Arlington Million and both proceeded to stallion careers. Hurricane Fly has missed out on that career path but that spells good news for Irish race fans.
“We are fortunate that we are able to race here today and with the forecast not great for the next few weeks, I’ll just see how he is before deciding where he’ll run next,” Mullins added.
“I’ll have to have a look at Christmas and then there’s the Irish Champion. He’s been unlucky in missing Cheltenham for the last two years. But that was great.”
The Solwhit team were as impressed as everyone else and trainer Charles Byrnes admitted: “My first reaction is that we’ll have to try and avoid the winner but that might be easier said than done. We could go for the Irish Champion though.”
Back in third the star mare Voler La Vedette could also take in both those upcoming Leopardstown Grade One prizes and might even have done enough yesterday to justify a Champion Hurdle entry at Cheltenham.
“We will see about that but she will definitely get an entry in the Irish Champion,” said Colm Murphy.
“We’re thrilled with her and she could get even further than two and a half.”
It’s hard to escape the conclusion, however, that come March, Voler La Vedette might have the best escape route from Hurricane Fly with her option in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle. Everyone else may have to duck.
