Ruby Walsh has questioned the form of the Irish Champion Hurdle after Hurricane Fly cruised to a facile success in the race on Sunday.
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Ruby Walsh has questioned the form of the Irish Champion Hurdle after Hurricane Fly cruised to a facile success in the race on Sunday.
The Irish jockey was delighted with the 2011 Champion Hurdle hero, but he also believes that his rivals were not at the peak of their powers at Leopardstown and he has reminded racing fans there is plenty of time before he returns to the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Walsh explained: "He was very impressive, he settled beautifully and jumped really well in a true-run race.
"It was a good jump at the second-last. He jumped past Oscars Well, joined Thousand Stars, and he came came alive and the race was over.
"It's good to see him back. It was a great performance. I probably was surprised. I don't think Thousand Stars ran as good as he can run.
"They went a really good gallop and Paul (Townend) gave him a breather down the back but he just didn't quicken again, which is unlike him.
"Obviously Unaccompanied didn't fire, she ran considerably worse than she did at Christmas, and Oscars Well has run a really good race.”
Meanwhile, when assessing the strength of the field in this year’s Champion Hurdle, he continued: "It's hard to know. There's no Peddlers Cross, it's up in the air what they will do with Oscar Whisky, Thousand Stars was third, while Sprinter Sacre and Menorah have gone chasing.
"Zarkandar runs in less than a fortnight and the horses behind him are pitching at it. There's quite a bit to go yet."
