"Greatest-of-all-time" arguments may be futile, but Hurricane Fly's claims to be regarded as the finest hurdler ever produced in Ireland were underscored by a dramatic and historic five-in-a-row in the BHP Irish Champion Hurdle.
In front of an adoring 8,216 Leopardstown crowd, the veteran 11-10 favourite maintained his perfect 10-out-of-10 record at the track in thrilling style, beating his stable companion Arctic Fire by three lengths, with the 5-4 Jezki only third after a crucial last-flight mistake.
Hurricane Fly’s world-breaking Grade 1 tally has long made him a statistical phenomenon but even a 22nd top-flight victory couldn’t contend against the significance of Willie Mullins’s superstar surpassing the legendary Istabraq by winning Ireland’s most prestigious hurdles prize for a fifth time.
Statistical merit is hardly a definitive measure in "greatest-of-all-time" debates but Hurricane Fly's latest achievement has emphasised the remarkable longevity of a unique career which is set to see him return to Cheltenham in March for a fifth attempt at the Champion Hurdle.
It is almost 13 years since Istabraq’s career ended at Cheltenham, famously pulling up with a circuit to run, time having taken its toll on a great champion.
Hurricane Fly is a year older than him but gives no sign of his powers waning, and is now as low as 5-1 to secure a third championship crown at the festival.
Even with a record that indicates he has never shown his absolute best at Cheltenham, no one will dismiss his chances of becoming the oldest title-holder since Sea Pigeon because once again around Leopardstown Hurricane Fly demonstrated he can find a way to win even in unpromising circumstances.
“I was worried going down the back. He lost his position and got caught for pace. But when Ruby [Walsh] got stuck into him he produced. When push comes to shove that’s what he does,” said a thrilled Mullins.
The champion trainer also has the current favourite for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in the unbeaten Faugheen but confirmed “the Fly” as an intended starter in the race, leaving Ruby Walsh with the prospect of having to pick.
“He gave me a brilliant jump at the last. Jezki stepped into it and missed it, and that probably enhanced the margin we won by, but he’s an incredible horse.
“I thought I had it anyway. He wasn’t going to shirk the issue from there home. He’s come back here now and won five of these and 22 Grade 1s. He’s a pleasure to ride, just a marvellous little horse.”
Mullins saddled a 21-1 hat-trick on the day that included a brilliant all-the-way success for the novice chaser Un De Sceaux, making him a red-hot favourite for the Arkle at Cheltenham, while Outlander has the Neptune as an option after landing the Grade 2 novice hurdle.
