WILLIE MULLINS was “absolutely delighted” with Hurricane Fly’s latest work-out at Leopardstown yesterday.

Ireland’s champion trainer has recently not been satisfied with the current champion hurdler, and decided not to run him in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle over Christmas.

But after a strong work-out with three stablemates, Mullins is hopeful he will make the line-up for the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 29th.

“Everything went very well,” said Mullins. “It was more than a little work-out, it was a good piece of work. I sent three others to gallop with him. He was ridden by Emmet (Mullins). Emmet and Paul (Townend) ride him in all his homework, but I’ve given Paul a few days off this week.

“Emmet settled him in behind and he cruised up to the others, and when Emmet gave him a squeeze he shot clear. I was absolutely delighted with him, it was just what we wanted to see.

“We’re working towards the Irish Champion Hurdle with him on the 29th and hopefully he’ll get there.”

Hurricane Fly was unbeaten last season, with wins in races like the Hatton’s Grace, the Festival Hurdle and the Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham and Punchestown.

He is around the 5 to 2 mark to retain his Cheltenham crown.

Champion Chase hero Sizing Europe remains on course for next month’s Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown ahead of the defence of his Cheltenham crown.

Henry de Bromhead’s pride and joy produced a brilliant performance to win the Tingle Creek at Sandown at the start of December and has since been given a mid-winter break.

But the 10-year-old’s Festival preparations will soon be stepped up a notch, taking in a trip to Punchestown on February 5th along the way.

“He’s in good form and we backed off him after Sandown to give him a nice break over Christmas,” said the Knockeen handler. “We’re starting to build him back up again now and we’re aiming towards the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown.

“All going well there, he’ll be going back to Cheltenham for the Champion Chase.”

Connections of 2009 Champion Hurdle hero Punjabi have confirmed the gelding will once again miss the entire season through injury.

The nine-year-old has not been seen since finishing well beaten at the 2010 Punchestown Festival, with a setback ruling him out of an intended novice chasing campaign last season.

Nicky Henderson and his team had hoped Punjabi would start off his career over fences this time around and he had even started schooling over the larger obstacles, but another injury has left him on the sidelines once again.

Tony Stafford, racing manager for owner Raymond Tooth, said: “He had a setback and unfortunately he is out for the season again.

“It wasn’t the same injury as before but with horses like him who have had time off, you need to be 100 per cent sure they are right before you bring them back. It’s disappointing as I know he had schooled really well over fences.

“Tony McCoy schooled him one day and was delighted with the way he jumped.

“It probably isn’t a serious injury, but he needs time to recover and there is no point bringing him back in May.”