Fly-ing Machine!

What an amazing performance from Hurricane Fly in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle last night at Punchestown.  He made a field of proven Grade One performers look positively ordinary as he burst five lengths clear in the straight under a motionless Ruby Walsh.  Neither Menorah or Binocular had any answer and it was down to Thousand Stars to chase the reigning Champion Hurdler home.  He certainly appears to be the best hurdler since Istabraq, and who knows, he could go on to even greater things - one thing is for sure, it would appear that one of last season's top novices' is going to have to progress for the home team to challenge him at next season's Festival.  I wonder what is wrong with Binocular?  He seems to have completely lost his way and maybe a change of scenery might help...whatever the problem is, he seems a shadow of his former self.

I thought that the Philip Hobbs trained Wishfull Thinking put up a good performance to win the novices' handicap chase under top weight of 11-10.  He was already rated 159 going into this race, so connections certainly have something to look forward to next season.

*****

I see that Richard Fahey has mapped out a trip to Melbourne, Australia for a tilt at the big cup race for Glen's Diamond.  He won the Group Three Dee Stakes yesterday in convincing fashion.  It would be great if an English horse could win the Melbourne Cup - the Irish have an excellent record in the race...it is a big ask, but there is no reason why we shouldn't be able to win it.

*****

David Redvers paid his winner a back-handed compliment after Dozy's success yesterday "she is vey laid back, just like her name!"  Fortunately she woke up for the race to make a winning debut for trainer Phillip Makin at Nottingham.