Hurricane Fly and Ruby Walsh fly the last© Photo Healy Racing
Hurricane Fly put himself alongside John Henry and Kauto Star as 16-time Group or Grade 1 victors when justifying odds of 1/4 in the Grade 1 Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.
Ruby Walsh 's mount was leaving his rivals behind when pinging the last and he strode away up the run-in to beat this stable companion, Thousand Stars by seven lengths. In the process Hurricane Fly was landing his fourth Rabobank Champion Hurdle in a row.
Mullins explained: "He just can handle any conditions and he's got a guy like Ruby riding him. Paul (Townend) does all the home-work with him and last Saturday himself and Quevega worked and they blew me away.
"Champagne Fever worked well too but he was disappointing on Tuesday for whatever reason.
"We were keeping our fingers crossed then all week that we'd get Hurricane Fly here in that kind of form.
"I'd love to have a crack at the French Champion Hurdle but I have two or three for that including Thousand Stars who ran a cracker there.
"Dawn Run did the treble, and I've no doubt he could, but we'll probably put him away.
"Hopefully we get him back in the same form next autumn. You always have to be scared of these younger horses coming through, they have to be respected.
"They could improve a stone whereas my fellow won’t."
Walsh remarked: "He's an incredible little horse and a pleasure to ride.
"Paul (Townend) was adamant all week that on his home-work he was in unbelievable form.
"He travelled so well today and he put the race to bed in three strides.
"He has his temperament, he has his quirks. He's not the greatest individual to 'do' - I don't envy Gail Carlisle looking after him. He'd bite you, kick you, stamp on you, all bar spit at you!
"Paul and Gail massage his ego as much as anything else and let him think he's the best. It's not the easiest thing to do, you'd love sometimes to give him a chuck and make him stand up.
"They play him and cod him and they do a great job with him.
"He's small horse but his heart is in the right place."
Stan James go 9/2 (from 6s) about Hurricane Fly for the 2014 Stan James Champion Hurdle. Our Conor remains their 4/1 favourite. (GC & EM)
