Hurricane Fly back with a bang after beating Jezki in Morgiana Hurdle
Sunday 16 November 2014 18:37, UK
Hurricane Fly showed that he's not yet ready for his pipe and slippers when outfighting Jezki to win the Morgiana Hurdle.
Having appeared to be losing his touch at the end of last season, the Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old returned to something near his best as he gained revenge on current two-mile king Jezki, his conqueror at both Cheltenham and Punchestown in the spring.
Ruby Walsh was happy to sit in third for much of the journey as prolific mare Little King Robin opened up a big advantage in her usual front-running style, with Jezki in second.
The big two eventually loomed large and while a mistake two out could have caused problems for Hurricane Fly (15/8), he was soon back moving with menace.
As the principals settled down to fight it out, Hurricane Fly pinged the last - unlike his rival, who was clumsy - and really picked up on the run-in, going away from Jezki at the line, winning with two and a quarter lengths in hand of the 8/13 favourite.
A delighted Mullins said: "When we took the rug off him in the parade ring many onlookers felt he was a bit heavy. But his homework suggested he was stronger than last year.
"Ruby was tactically very good. The onus was on the champion (Jezki) to deal with the pace, and it was easier for us to ride our race. It won't be always that easy through the season. Tactically we had the advantage today.
"He'll go his normal route. You would have to say that run was better than his last two runs last season."
Walsh said: "He's a horse that always had plenty of guts and determination. Some people may have had their doubts about him, but Kauto Star was also written off a number of times. That's racing, it's all about opinions and he got a wonderful reception from the crowd here today."
Jezki's trainer Jessica Harrington said: "He was beaten by a better horse on the day. I won't make any excuses. There was 15 lengths back to the third. He missed the last a bit, but that was all.
"As long as he's okay he'll head to Leopardstown at Christmas."
Defeat for Jezki saw him eased out from 4/1 to 6/1 by Sky Bet to retain the Stan James Champion Hurdle crown next March, with Hurricane Fly slashed from 33/1 to 12/1 to regain it.
