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Istabraq Festival Hurdle 2012 |
Hurricane Flies in Istabraq Hurdle
29/12/12
1 Hurricane Fly 1/5F
2 Unaccompanied 6/1
3 Thousand Stars 10/1
5 ran Distances: 7l, ½l, hd
TIME 3m 56.60s (slow by 11.60s)
Hurricane Fly eased to a comfortable victory in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday December 29.
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The 2011 Champion Hurdle hero showed he will be one to beat back at Cheltenham when following up his victory in this race two years ago.
Willie Mullins' ace took over from stablemate Thousand Stars on the turn for home and the 1-5 shot strode away under Ruby Walsh for a seven-length verdict. Unaccompanied was second and Thousand Stars stayed on again to claim third from Captain Cee Bee.
Mullins said: "We're delighted with that, not just with the win but by the way he settled. He was easier to lead around the ring beforehand and Ruby said he settled beautifully throughout the race.
"He's a much more settled horse all round this year, with age and racing. He will come back here for the Irish Champion Hurdle before going to Cheltenham.
"If we can get him back to Cheltenham in the same form that he's in now, he'll have a very good chance."
