Hurricane Fly (left) jumps the last with Our Conor before his Sunday win

 PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos), BY PETER SCARGILL12:18PM 30 DEC 2013 

HURRICANE FLY will be even better for his next start in the Grade 1 BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown his trainer Willie Mullins said on Monday.

 

The dual Champion Hurdle winner collected the 18th Grade 1 of his stellar career at Leopardstown on Sunday when comfortably taking the Ryanair Hurdle after which he was promoted in many places to favouritism for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

However, the nine-year-old, owned by George Creighton and Rose Boyd, lags behind The New One and My Tent Or Yourswith some bookmakers although Mullins is confident that Hurricane Fly has plenty more to give.

“I’ve easily got five pounds left to work on,” Mullins said. “I’ve been saying that this fella is stronger than he has ever been before.

“It’s extraordinary for a horse his age but knowing what he did and what we have been doing with him I think I have plenty left. I have been saying that all along and I am happy with that.”

Hurricane Fly defeated fellow Champion Hurdle aspirants Jezki and Our Conor on Sunday and Mullins feels his star was the worthy winner.

Speaking on At The Races, the champion trainer said: “He is tired and lost a bit of weight but he’s fine. It was a very tactical race and Jezki got into trouble. Our Conor got a clean run and our fella had way too much tactical speed and I’m very happy with him.”

fonte: RacingPost