Mullins eyes up a Cheltenham prep for Hurricane Willie Mullins is considering an early trip to Cheltenham for Hurricane Fly as the trainer maps out a campaign he hopes will see his charge return for a crack at the Champion Hurdle in March. The exciting son of Montjeu enjoyed a fantastic novice season after arriving from France, including three victories in Grade One company. However, the five-year-old missed the Cheltenham Festival after suffering a setback in his preparation and Mullins feels some experience of running at Prestbury Park would stand him in good stead. "Hurricane Fly is in great form and seems a lot stronger than he was last season," said Mullins as he hosted the media at his County Carlow base. "The plan is to go to Punchestown with him for the Morgiana Hurdle (November 15). That looks a good place to start off as he's won at the track before and I think it's nice to go somewhere they know. "I know Binocular and Solwhit have been mentioned for the race and of course you are always worried about the opposition. We probably have 10lb to find with those horses at the minute, so it wouldn't be the end of the world if he was beaten there. I'll have him ready enough to run but at least if he's beaten and is running on at the end, we have the whole season to progress. "After that, there is a good chance we could go over to Cheltenham with him for one of those races, as long as it all fits in well. It's not that I have any worries with him travelling as he's been to France before with no problems, but it's nice to go there and do it on the pitch (Cheltenham). "I'm not sure what race he would go for just yet, but the trip wouldn't be a problem for him. You would hope he'll be a Champion Hurdle horse, but we'll just have to see how it goes." Hurricane Fly heads the ante-post market for the Smurfit Kappa-sponsored Champion Hurdle at a general 3-1.
