Irish Champion Hurdle: Hurricane heads hopefuls

News / Timeform / 24 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Hurricane Fly will make his reappearance at Leopardstown.

"Hopefully he will improve for the run. He is a horse that has a habit of getting himself into trouble at home, but he seems to be right now..."

Hurricane Fly features among just six remaining entries for the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown...

The Willie Mullins-trained star cleaned up in the two-mile division last season, landing this Grade One prize before going on to further Champion Hurdle success at Cheltenham and later at Punchestown.

The eight-year-old, rated 174 by Timeform, bypassed intended comeback runs at Punchestown in November and at Leopardstown over Christmas as the champion trainer revealed he was not happy with his charge, but he now looks set to grace the racecourse for the first time this season in the Irish Champion Hurdle.

Mullins could also be represented by Thousand Stars, while talented mares Voler La Vedette and Unaccompanied remain in the mix.

Jessica Harrington's Oscars Well and Kalann, from the Sabrina Harty yard, complete the small but select field.

There will be no British interest after Nicky Henderson withdrew both Binocular and Spirit Son as anticipated.

Mullins is much happier with Hurricane Fly now than he was a month ago but expects his charge will improve for the run.

He said: "He is a hell of a horse and probably only once or twice in your lifetime might you come across a horse with that sort of ability.

"He is hard to train as he is so tough on himself and we can't let him do what he wants to do.

"I just want to keep him right and if he gets beaten, he gets beaten.

"Hopefully he will improve for the run. He is a horse that has a habit of getting himself into trouble at home, but he seems to be right now."

Leopardstown's other Grade 1 on Sunday, the Arkle over two miles and a furlong, has eight remaining entrants with Blackstairmountain and Flemenstar being the leading names.

One notable absentee is Bog Warrior, but trainer Tony Martin said: "He's fine, I've just decided to wait an extra week so we can get a bit more done with him.

"There are plenty of races coming up for him and I just felt this weekend was coming a week too soon, so we've decided to give it a miss."