Hurricane Fly (left)© Photo Healy Racing
Hurricane Fly further endeared himself to the Irish racing public when showing both class and determination to win a fourth successive renewal of the Grade 1 BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown today.
Ridden by regular partner Ruby Walsh, the ten year old produced one of the toughest performances of an illustrious career to record a 19th Grade 1 win, leaving him unbeaten now in his last nine runs. Captain Cee Bee made the running but was headed before the final flight as Hurricane Fly and Our Conor moved past. Hurricanne Fly was untidy the final flight but put his head down on the run-in to gamely see off Our Conor by a length and a half.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins expressed both relief and delight after the win, saying “if you'd seen the bit of work I'd seen him (Hurricane Fly) do during the week! It was terrible and his worst bit of work ever; I was so disappointed that I came down off the gallops thinking 'the dream is over' and maybe it's come to the stage where he's had enough.
“Thankfully that night we found a bruise in his foot and, once poulticed, he seemed find the next morning. However that bad bit of work stuck in my mind all week and certainly when Our Conor loomed up beside him, I thought 'that bad bit of work will beat him' and we'd get beaten on the day.
“I have huge respect for the way he fought back after making the mistake at the last and I have huge respect for the horse. Coming back off that bad bit of work was extraordinary and it was a stand out performance. Ruby is a master tactician and the race worked out fine: Plan A happened today.”
Walsh later stated “he's a wonderful horse he has every attribute you want; he has pace, stamina and is a great jumper.
“We've been proud of him for a long time but he deserves the reception he got today and thanks to everyone who gave it to him. He's a privilege to ride and if every horse was minded as well as he, they'd last forever!”
Our Conor's trainer Dessie Hughes had mixed emotions following a near-miss, saying “I'm disappointed a bit but thrilled he improved, which I thought he would.
“He's just a bit young but for a five year old to do that, I think was a tremendous performance. He was nearly the last horse off the bridle which was a fantastic feat in itself beside that horse (Hurricane Fly). For three or four strides after the last I thought we had him but the other old boy just wore him down.
“Being a young horse, he should improve and I think Cheltenham improved him last year; he was definitely a stone better horse last year at Cheltenham.”
Our Conor's prizemoney today, E22,000, has, as per his owner Barry Connell's generous instructions, been added to the Jockeys' Emergency Fund.
Paddy Power bookmakers later cut Hurricane Fly to 5/2, from 3/1, for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham while Our Conor has been cut to 6/1.
By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
