Hurricane Fly approaches the last in Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
Hurricane Fly set a new horse racing record with his 17th Grade 1 success as he made a winning reappearance in the Morgiana Hurdle over two miles at Punchestown.
The reigning champion hurdler was coming off a break of 205 days since winning at the Punchestown Festival in April. He only faced four rivals today (including three stablemates) and was sent off the prohibitive 1/16 favourite.
Mikael D’Haguenet led him throughout but the nine-year-old picked him off coming to the last and was kept up to his work by Ruby Walsh to win by a length and a quarter from the fast-finishing Marito (14/1).
“It was great to get that out of the way. That was probably one of his least impressive performances if not the least impressive,” Willie Mullins, who saddled the first four home, said.
“That was as ready as he was and he’ll improve away for the rest of the season. He came back very strong and even though he was working well he needed that badly. Paddock observers would say that he was as big and heavy as he’s ever been. I think there is a lot of improvement in him - there better be!
“We’ll keep him to the same routine. Hopefully he comes out of this safe and sound and we’ll look forward to Christmas.
“Marito ran a cracker and he’s improving. He’s never been as good as we thought he would be when we got him. I’ve no plans and well take it week by week with him and see what we can find in the programme book both here and England. I think there is a nice race in him somewhere. He did a lovely bit of work the other day and he showed that here today.
“Mikael D’Haguenet ran a great race considering he ran in a chase the other day but I was a little disappointed with Midnight Game I thought he would put up more of a finish.”
Ruby Walsh said: “To keep a jump horse that fit and healthy for that long to win 17 Grade 1s is an achievement on its own and is incredible. The work Willie, Paul Townend and Gail Carlisle put in at home with him is phenomenal. I only see him at the races and it’s a privilege to ride him. They can be proud of themselves and take a bow.
“It’s a starting point for him. You can only beat what’s around you and I suppose it’s a long old season and you do the bare minimum to win.”
This was Hurricane Fly’s seventh win in-a-row. He has only been beaten three times in a career spanning 21 races that started in Maisons-Lafitte, France, in July 2007. It was his eighth victory at Punchestown. He’s one of only two horse to have regained the Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham – the other being Comedy Of Errors in 1975.
Paddy Power pushed Hurricane Fly out to 6/1 from 5/1 for the Champion Hurdle after this display.
This gave Willie Mullins a five-timer on the day (treble at Punchestown and double at Cork) and jockey Ruby Walsh was on board the three Mullins winners at Punchestown. He was also on Morning Assembly for Pat Fahy and has ridden the first four winners on the card at Punchestown today.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
