All systems go for Hurricane

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL: HURRICANE FLY could still get the chance to confirm his status as this season's outstanding novice hurdler by running at next month's Punchestown Festival.

The Willie Mullins-trained star had to miss out on last week’s Cheltenham Festival with a splint problem but his form earlier this season was still boosted in his absence.

Go Native, a 10-length runner-up to Hurricane Fly in a Leopardstown Grade One over Christmas, took full advantage of his rival’s absence to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle after which his trainer Noel Meade described Hurricane Fly as “exceptional”.

The ex-French horse is already disputing favouritism for next year’s Champion Hurdle and could reappear at Punchestown after an upbeat veterinary report earlier this week.

“He is very well. He went to the vets on Monday and they gave him the best report we have had so far,” Mullins said yesterday.

“I was not pleased with him when I left to go to Cheltenham but the vets are very pleased with him now. It gives us a chance to go to Punchestown.”

Hurricane Fly’s most likely target at Punchestown will be the two-mile Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle. The €100,000 event is one of the opening day festival features on Tuesday, April 28th.

That race is also the target for Go Native who has bounced out of his Supreme effort in good shape.

“I’m not going to say he’s going to beat Hurricane Fly but he probably won’t beat him by that far now,” Noel Meade said yesterday.

Go Native just held on to win the Supreme after securing a dream run up the inner and Meade added: “It wasn’t the plan and the fact he hit the front so early was nearly his undoing. But he travels so well in his races. He did the same at Leopardstown over Christmas but tied up.

“He probably needed the run when Hurricane Fly beat him as he was only just coming right. We can’t say Hurricane Fly will run away from him again but at the same time it is unlikely he will beat him by that far again.”

Meade is also aiming his Grade One-winning novice chaser Casey Jones at the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.