Willie Mullins is confident Hurricane Fly still has what it takes to make his mark at the top level ahead of his return in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
Having already racked up an astonishing 19 Grade One victories, the 10-year-old will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest two-mile (3200m) hurdlers of the modern era.
However, there were signs last spring that perhaps his advancing years were beginning to catch up with him as he managed only fourth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and was runner-up at the Punchestown Festival, with Jezki triumphant on both occasions.
With the score two-all, the star duo will again lock horns on Sunday with his trainer in no doubt the fire still burns brightly inside his dethroned champion who has won the Morgiana for the past two years.
“We’re looking forward to it. He’s such a game horse and such a character that you try and respect that,” Mullins said.
“Myself and the owners discussed whether we’d go racing with him this year, but I’m sure that he still has Grade One ability.
“Some people were wondering if he’d retire, but he’s not an old horse by any means and he still has lots of ability.
“Until he shows us on the track that his heart is not in it, we keep going.”
With the big two featuring in a field of just five runners – Little King Robin, Lethal Weapon and King Of The Picts were also declared – the race promises to be a tactical affair.
Jezki dominated from the front on their most recent meeting at Punchestown and Mullins will leave it up to Ruby Walsh to decide how he wants to play his hand.
