Hurricane Fly is as short as 5/2 to retain his Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham in March after winning the Irish equivalent fo the fourth consecuive time.
Willie Mullins’ superstar was sent of the 4/7 favourite for the fourth consecutive BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown yesterday and his suppoters had a few anxious moments before he prevaisled in a thrilling finish.
The 10-year-old was settled in second by Ruby Walsh as Captain Cee Bee took them along in the Grade 1 contest before taking up the running at the top of the straight.
Our Conor then came with what looked a winning run at the final flight and although The Fly was then far from fluent over it, he dug deep and found extra on the run-in to win by 1 1/2 lengths
It was an eighth victory from as many starts at Leopardstown for him and one which saw the gelding match Istabraq as the only previous four-time winner of the race.
The winning trainer said: “That was a huge relief. I have huge respect for the horse to do what he did, coming off the bit of work he did during the week. If he had been an ordinary horse he wouldn’t have run today. It was his worst bit of work ever.
“Thankfully we found he had a bruised foot. He seemed fine the next morning and he’s been fine since. We had to run and take our chance. We did all the tests on him and everything was coming back right. These races only come around once a year. I would have liked to have had another week with him.
“I thought when Our Conor came upsides him at the last he was beat. It was the first time he’s ever missed the last and I was thinking to myself, ‘there’s that bad bit of work’, but he showed his guts and he battled back. For the horse to come here with a bad prep and win that, I’m very happy with where I’m at with him.”
Our Conor’s owner Barry Connell is looking forward to renewing rivalry with Hurricane Fly at Cheltenham.
He said: “He probably settled a bit better than he did the first time (in the Ryanair Hurdle). He was probably the last off the bridle and he travelled like a dream, but we got outbattled.
“All credit to Hurricane Fly – this is his backyard and he’s unbeaten here. For a young horse to run him so close we couldn’t be more delighted. We’d like to think there is more improvement from our horse. He should get a bit closer at Cheltenham.”
The win saw The Fly generally cut across the board for the Champion Hurdle with bet365 and Paddy Power going just 5/2.
However there is still plenty of 3/1 available with the likes of BetVictor, Stan James, Coral, Ladbrokes and Hills.
The runner-up Our Conor was also cut into a general 6/1, although Coral will still give you 7s.
