Hurricane Fly: has won seven Grade 1 contests at Leopardstown

 PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos), BY JONATHAN MULLIN7:54AM 21 JAN 2014 

RELATED LINKS

“Hurricane Fly is in great order,” said Mullins. “He has a couple of little bits of work to do before the end of the week but we’re looking forward to Sunday.

“The two young horses - Jezki and Our Conor - are coming off runs in the Ryanair that both should improve from. But I’m hoping our fellow will improve as well. I certainly see him coming on for that run.”

He added: “Our Conor, especially, has serious scope to step up considerably for his first hurdle run of the season. And you’d have to say Jezki was a little unlucky and ran into plenty of traffic problems in that race, so his connections are entitled to think those factors mean he’ll be even more competitive on Sunday. It’s going to be fascinating.”

Seven of Hurricane Fly’s 18 Grade 1 victories have been at Leopardstown and he is generally 1-2 favourite to again beat his younger rivals.

“He’s very good around Leopardstown,” added Mullins. “It suits him and his style of running and hopefully that will turn out to be the case on Sunday.”

When the trio met in the Ryanair Hurdle, it turned into a tactical affair. First, Thousand Stars led the five-runner field at a slow pace, then Captain Cee Bee – in the same ownership as Jezki – surged to the front and held a big lead before being reeled in by the second-last.

“I don’t think anyone thought the tactical battle would turn out like it did,” admitted Mullins.

“It’s good to have a guy like Ruby [Walsh] there, who doesn’t panic. He probably won the tactics war as well, and hopefully it will work out the same this weekend.”

It is likely to be Hurricane Fly’s last run before his bid to win a third Stan James Champion Hurdle, for which he is 3-1 favourite with the sponsor.

fonte: RacingPost