Racing:Hurricane Fly is likely to make his next appearance in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 29th after emerging safe and sound from his comeback run at the weekend. Willie Mullins' slick two-miler has not been the easiest horse to train and lost his Champion Hurdle crown to Rock On Ruby last March.
He bounced back at the Punchestown Festival and returned to the Co Kildare course on Sunday for the Dobbins & Madigans
Punchestown Morgiana Hurdle. Hurricane Fly ended up beating Captain Cee Bee by 12 lengths but the three-runner event ceased to be a contest when Go Native fell at the final flight when very much still in touch.
“I was more than happy with the run and he seems absolutely fine today,” said Mullins. “I’d say he will probably go to Leopardstown after Christmas now.”
Another of the useful but more fragile individuals at Mullins’ Bagenalstown stable, Tarla, is also reported to be in good health. The Ricci family’s mare has won five of her six starts since moving from France and recently took successive Grade Threes over hurdles and fences.
Mullins said: “Tarla’s fine, she was out this morning, but I haven’t quite made any plans for her. I’d say I will be looking at the chase programme.”