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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Hurricane storms to thirteenth Grade 1 win

Sat 29th Dec 2012, 14:31

Ruby Walsh & Hurricane Fly on their way to victoryRuby Walsh & Hurricane Fly on their way to victory
© Photo Healy Racing

Hurricane Fly recorded his thirteenth Grade 1 success as he took the feature race at Leopardstown this afternoon, the Istabraq Festival Hurdle.

The Willie Mullins trained 8yo son of Montjeu was sent off the 1/5 favourite for the two mile contest and he didn’t let down his supporters as he came home an easy seven length winner.

Having tracked Thousand Stars for much of the race he hit the front entering the straight and he quickened clear the before the last to come home an easy winner.

The Dermot Weld trained Unaccompanied kept on for second at 6/1 under Davy Russell while Thousand Stars was a further half a length back in third under Paul Townend at 10/1.

Willie Mullins said afterwards: "He slotted in behind the pace and just quickened when he wanted to. He will come back here for the Irish Champion Hurdle and I would imagine Thousand Stars will be back here for that race as well.

"With age and racing Hurricane Fly seems to be settling better. Ruby was happy with him throughout the race and he also seems to be more relaxed around the parade ring.

"If we can get him to Cheltenham in the same form he is in now, I think he has a good chance."

Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Bookmaker Reaction;

Boylesports: Hurricane Fly was 5/1 now 4/1 joint favourite with Darlan

Ladbrokes: Hurricane Fly was 5/1 now 7/2. Daralan 3/1 favourite

Paddy Powers: Hurricane Fly was 5/1 now 7/2 favourite. Daralan 4/1

Stan James: Hurricane Fly was 5/1 now 9/2. Daralan 7/2 favourite

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)

About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.