Hurricane Fly is the new favourite for the 2010 Champion Hurdle after easily landing the odds in the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, off the course with a splint problem since impressing at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting, overcame trouble in running to beat stablemate Kempes by seven lengths.

Ruby Walsh had a few anxious momemts when boxed in approaching the last but the strong travelling son of Montjeu squeezed through a narrow gap before stretching clear on the run-in. A stewards enquiry was called but the placings remained unaltered. Riverside Theatre was a half length back in third, with Go Native another length and a half adrift in fourth.

'He did an extraordinary piece of work with Ruby last Tuesday, and it was even better than he did before Leopardstown at Christmas. I'm delighted that he's come and proved it today,' said Mullins.

'He had to show alot of pace in a slow run race, and we'll probably avoid running on the Flat or going to France and put him away for the season.'

William Hill and Sean Graham both make Hurricane Fly 5/1 for the Cheltenham showpiece next March, while Paddy Power were really impressed and go just 3/1.