Tipping / Timeform / 25 January 2012 /

A cracking weekend of racing is in store at Leopardstown and the undoubted highlight is the expected return of Hurricane Fly in the Irish Champion Hurdle on Sunday.....

Hurricane Fly has met with defeat only once since joining Willie Mullins at the start of the 2008/9 campaign and really came of age last term, winning all five starts, all at Grade 1 level, including the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham by just over a length from Peddlers Cross. He has missed a few engagements already this season, but boasts a good record fresh and looks to have no chinks in his armour, a fluent jumper with a high cruising speed and potent turn of foot.

The downside to Hurricane Fly running in the Irish Champion Hurdle is that he gives the market a lop-sided look and betting opportunities are thin on the ground as a result. With the favourite so strong and only six left standing their ground (Voler La Vedette is due to run in the Grade 2 at Gorwan tomorrow), there is realistically only one place up for grabs, and the second favourite Unaccompanied is by far the likeliest of the remaining quartet to fill it, having already proved her superiority over Thousand Stars and Oscars Well at Leopardstown over Christmas, arguably still on the upgrade as well.

The other graded action on the card makes more appeal from a betting perspective, though, in particular the Irish Arkle. Blackstairmountain is two from two over fences, having had a breathing operation in the summer, and is the likely favourite after his defeat of Notus de La Tour, Foildubh, Lucky William, Baily Green and Gift of Dgab (who are all set to reoppose) over course and distance on Boxing Day. He seems unlikely to prove much better than that, however, while he hasn't always convinced with his finishing effort, so Flemenstar makes plenty of appeal against him. He's progressed in chunks each start over fences, finding only Bog Warrior too good on his debut at Navan and subsequently winning a maiden there and novice at Naas, impressing with his jumping on both occasions. With his stamina assured, in-running punters may also have the option of topping up if Blackstairmountain stays on the bridle for longer.

Elsewhere this weekend there is a novice chase to savour with Sir Des Champs and Hidden Cyclone set to cross swords, both of whom look capable of going right to the top, while there is also some valuable handicap action.

Saturday's BS Handicap Hurdle (formerly the MCR) is always a competitive affair and this year looks set to be no exception. Scottish Boogie caught the eye last time and deserves to be high up the shortlist, but his price already looks on the skinny side for a race of this nature and a couple of others to consider are Askthemaster and Citizenship. The former rolled back the years when winning at Leopardstown on Boxing Day, really impressing with the way he went through the race and holding off the well-backed Harold's Cross, and a rise of 7 lb still leaves him looking well treated in relation to his chase form. Citizenship has been in fine form since joining this yard (a blip on the AW aside) and went down as an unlucky loser last time, allowing the winner first run before finishing best. Both are available to back around the [16.0] mark.

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