RACING:HURRICANE FLY could be seen next at Leopardstown over Christmas after Willie Mullins ruled out a run in Sunday's Ladbrokes.com Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
The seven-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, his first visit to Prestbury Park having missed the previous two Festivals due to injury.
Mullins had identified this weekend’s Grade One prize as the intended seasonal return for his stable star, but revealed yesterday afternoon that he would not be lining up.
Hurricane Fly also missed the Morgiana Hurdle 12 months ago and instead made his return in the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse, for which he is once again entered.
Speaking at Fairyhouse yesterday afternoon, where he saddled three winners, Mullins expanded on the reasons behind his decision to withdraw Hurricane Fly.
He said: “I took him out of the Morgiana this morning as I was just not happy with him.
“A good few of mine have been backward and I was conscious of ante-post betting on the race, so I didn’t want to wait until Friday.
“He’ll not run until I’m happy with him again and at the moment I’m gearing him towards Christmas rather than the Hatton’s Grace.”
Despite the withdrawal of Hurricane Fly from Sunday’s race, Mullins is still likely to be represented.
Thousand Stars finished behind his esteemed stable companion four times last season and could bid to make the most of his absence this time.
Mullins also has another interesting entry in So Young, who was highly regarded as a novice hurdler last season.
The Charles Byrnes-trained Pittoni is the new 5 to 4 market leader with Stan James.
Spokesman Joseph Burke said: “Pittoni is the new 5 to 4 favourite, representing Charles Byrnes who is chasing a hat-trick of Morgiana wins.
“However, Thousand Stars is now the top-rated horse in the field by a full 14lb and despite the fact that he finished second to Hurricane Fly over course and distance in a Grade One just last May, he can still be backed at 3 to 1.
“It may be a small field but it promises to be a fascinating renewal.”
Meanwhile, Coral eased Hurricane Fly to 7 to 4 from 6 to 4 to repeat his success at Cheltenham in March.
LADBROKES.COM MORGIANA HURDLE(Stan James bet): Pittoni 5-4, Oscars Well 2-1, Thousand Stars 3-1, So Young 7-1, Akatara 66-1.
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