Updated 09.30
THE INCREDIBLE HURRICANE Fly maintained his unbeaten Leopardstown record on Sunday with a fifth consecutive BHP Irish Champion Hurdle win, beating Jezki yet again.
It was the second Leopardstown win in a month for Ruby Walsh on the 11-year-old with Jezki stumbling at the last after putting up a valiant effort.
The win puts the Fly ahead of Istabraq in the record books of Ireland’s most coveted hurdles prize.
With two fences to go, Jezki was out in front and the champion wasn’t travelling particularly well.
But Walsh then made his move and the two approached the final fence neck-and-neck.
However AP McCoy and Jezki stumbled over the final hurdle allowing Arctic Fire, ridden by Paul Townend, to nip in and claim second place while Hurricane Fly streaked to victory.
The €110,000 feature race brings Willie Mullins’ horse to 22 Grade One victories and serves to further embellish the Fly’s reputation.
Speaking after the race Walsh said he was’t feeling confident until they made the turn.
Bookmakers immediately cut Hurricane Fly from 10/1 to 5/1 to win a third Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
– First published 15.05, Sunday
