Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Sunday , both at Leopardstown. He fancies Flat Out in the 1.45 and Hurricane Fly an hour later
The top-class Hurricane Fly (2:45) is impossible to oppose in Sunday’s Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The seven-year-old has beaten Solwhit in to second on his last three starts and, though Davy Russell’s tactics appeared strange on the runner-up last time (let the selection, who is the quicker horse, have first run), it is hard to see how he can reverse form.
‘The Fly’ could be the second leg of a Grade 1 double for trainer Willie Mullins, who saddles Flat Out (1:45) in the Arkle Novice Chase.
The grey lacks the experience of his main market rivals, but he was the quickest horse in the race over hurdles and jumped well, bar a last fence scare, on his chase debut recently.
Fifth to Menorah in the Supreme Novices’ at Cheltenham, form that reads particularly well now, if his jumping holds together he could have too many gears for the likes of Realt Dubh, who appeared to outstay his rivals here over Christmas.
Sunday’s selections:
1:45 Leopardstown: Flat Out
2:45 Leopardstown: Hurricane Fly
Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2010-11 is available hot off the press from the 1st October for just £9.99
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Last year’s selections included:
Hurricane Fly: 3/1 winner of the G1 Rabobank Champion Hurdle
Copper Bleu: 12/1 winner of the Jewson at Cheltenham
Great Endeavour: 18/1 winner of the Festival Plate
Tranguil Sea: 11/2 winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup
Sizing Europe: 6/1 winner of the Arkle
Weapon’s Amnesty: 10/1 winner of the RSA Chase
