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Fly heads Irish Champion 14

Hurricane Fly Hurricane Fly
© Photo Healy Racing

Hurricane Fly could face strong opposition in this year's BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle after he headed a quality entry of 14 for the race at Leopardstown on January 27th.

Willie Mullins star hurdler is bidding to win the Grade 1 contest for the third year running.

The former Champion Hurdler has been in scintillating form this season and claimed his latest start at Leopardstown over Christmas with total ease.

Another previous Champion Hurdler could be among the opposition with Binocular handed an entry while trainer Nicky Henderson has also entered Grandouet.

Last season Triumph Hurdle winner Countrywide Flame makes up a trio of potential English raiders.

Mullins has a total of four entries with Thousand Stars, So Young and Zaidpour also possibles.

Solwhit, who returned to action at Punchestown recently has as expected been given an entry. Charles Byrnes has also entered Trifolium.

Dermot Weld has two in the field with Unaccompanied and Hissabaat in the mix.

Captain Cee Bee, Cause Of Causes and One Cool Shabra complete the entries.

The Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase looks set to be a strong support race.

Willie Mullins again has a strong hand with dual Grade One winner Arvika Ligeonniere heading his five possibles amongst the 11 entries.

He could be joined by stable-mates Boston Bob, Twinlight, Marito and Mikael D'Haguenet.

Jessica Harrington could run Oscars Well while he could be joined by Jenari and Burn And Turn from her yard.

Tom Mullins has entered Alderwood and Klepht while Tony Martin's Benefficient completes the field.

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.