Ruby Makes Hurricane Fly

Hurricane Fly didn't come off the bridle when winning the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Willie Mullins' star (4-5 fav) had been absent since winning at Punchestown in May but showed class throughout the race with  Ruby Walsh on board.

Walsh pushed him into the lead from front-running stablemate Thousand Stars turning for home and was not hard pressed to saunter to a six and a half length victory.

Jessica Harrington's Oscars Well (8-1) ran his best race of the season to fill the runner-up spot, whilst the well-fancied Unnaccompanied was outpaced before the home turn and could only finish fourth behind Thousand Stars.

Mullins said: "He completely surprised me. It must be as good a performance as he's ever produced. They went a right good gallop. Ruby said he wasn't travelling in the ground early on but once he put him in the race three out, he came alive.

"I was a bit anxious about the ground and he was very quiet beforehand, but maybe he's just maturing. Normally it takes two lads to lead him as he can be a bit tight.

"We had been worried before Cheltenham last year how he would handle everything, including the parade, but he went round like a handicapper today. I was a little concerned he would flop as my first two runners disappointed.

"I was surprised how fit he appeared. We'll keep a lid on him between now and Cheltenham."

The manner of victory predictably saw Hurricane Fly cut across the board to win back-to-back Stan James Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham in March.

The sponsors have him at 5-6 (from 7-4), Boylesports and Sky Bet go 4-5 whilst BetVictor offer 10-11 about Mullins' eight-year-old.

Coral are one of the few firms who don't have the reigning champion at odds-on, with the Barking firm offering even money about a repeat victory.

"It may have been a delayed reappearance for Hurricane Fly, but it was well worth waiting for, and having proved his well being in emphatic fashion, he is now red-hot favourite for back-to-back Champion Hurdle wins," said spokesman David Stevens.

Somersby Wins Victor Chandler

Somersby dug deep for rider Dominic Elsworth to beat Finian's Rainbow and win the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot.

The 9-2 chance, saddled by Best Mate's trainer Henrietta Knight, stayed on well for a first Grade One success.

Al Ferof was third and Gauvain fell as last year's runner-up triumphed in the 25th anniversary of the race.

According to Pete (9-1) won the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock while trainer Donald McCain and jockey Jason Maguire enjoyed a four-timer.

Wearing cheekpieces for the first time, Somersby went one better than his narrow defeat by Master Minded in 2011.

The eight-year-old, who was fourth behind winner Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, had previously finished second in two Grade One and three Grade One chases during his career.

Somersby overhauled Finian's Rainbow in the run-in to claim victory by a length-and-a-quarter and provide Knight with her first top-level success since 2005.

Her partner Terry Biddlecombe, the former champion jockey who is recovering from a recent stroke, was on hand to see the triumph.

Henrietta Knight hailed a 'dream' win for Somersby. It was good to see Best Mate's trainer with a Grade One success after a fallow time

"I got so excited, I had a nosebleed," he said.

Elsworth said of Somersby: "I'm delighted for the horse. He's been a bit of a bridesmaid, but he's done it nicely. I always knew he was going to stay on towards the end."

Knight indicated the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March would be his target, although the Queen Mother Champion Chase is an alternative.

At Haydock, the 11-year-old According To Pete saw off younger rivals for a stamina-laden success.

Celestial Halo (6-5 favourite) continued his revival by winning the Champion Hurdle Trial for trainer Paul Nicholls.

Meanwhile, McCain and Maguire chalked up victories with Cinders and Ashes, Our Mick, Reindeer Dippin and Real Milan.