Hurricane storms home in Champion

Class won through in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown as Hurricane Fly put an injury interrupted season behind him to record a last gasp success in the Grade 1 feature.

Willie Mullins' charge had to dig deep in the closing stages to claw back Solwhit who had made a bold bid for home after the second last.

Paul Townend exuded confidence on Hurricane Fly as the field turned for home and moved into contention going to the last.

Solwhit led approaching it from Thousand Stars but it looked a matter of time until Hurricane Fly picked them up.

Solwhit wouldn't give up without a fight and Townend had to get serious with his mount, eventually just overhauling his rival in the dying strides for a neck success.

Mullins' second string Thousand Stars ran a great race at 20/1, giving chase to Solwhit turning in, and just giving best on the run-in.

Star novice Dunguib was sent off a well-backed 5/2 favourite but could only manage to finish sixth after running freely in the early stages.

"Paul gave him a terrific ride. He was very confident. He rode him work on Duninga gallops during the week and he did a super bit of work," said Mullins.

"It's the only hard bit of work we got into him. I told Paul to give him a good bit and see how fit he was.

"I was wondering if it would be enough. I thought we might need to get him away for a second time as he's a hyper horse.

"His class won it for him in the end - he stuck his head out.

"One would think with a few runs he would get much fitter. It probably wasn't a fast pace, they went very slow early, and that probably helped.

"The likes of the Champion Hurdle would be a much faster pace and he would need to be much fitter for that but he got away with it today.

"The idea today was to get him to settle and then ride a race. I thought he had too much to do two out and again after the last thought he was beat but his class got him there.

"He has won in France but I don't know if there is a race there to suit him and I might put him away.

"He could go back on the Flat but with his temperament I'm not sure about that. He's a hard horse to settle and running on the Flat might not help that."

"Thousand Stars ran a cracker and Katie gave him a great ride. He's one that might stay hurdling next season."

Charles Byrnes, trainer of the runner-up Solwhit, pleased, yet disappointed, following his star gelding's fine effort in defeat. He subsequently reported “Solwhit ran very well but we don't like getting beaten!”

He added “Solwhit wasn't doing a whole lot in front but the winner won well and we had no real excuses. Softer ground may have played better into our hands, as it would have inconvenienced the other runners more – he's finished for the season now.”