Cheltenham 2014 – Can Hurricane Fly Claim His 3rd Champion Hurdle Success?

With only a couple of weeks before the 2014 Cheltenham Festival the question on punters lips is can Hurricane fly win his 3rd Champion Hurdle on Tuesday 11th March?

The 2011 and 2013 champion returns to Cheltenham as a 10 year old, and despite not being at his scintillating best on his seasonal return in November when beating Marito by just over a length; a race that set a new world record of 17 Grade 1 wins, he then stamped his authority in late December by handing a beating to leading hurdlers Jezski and Our Conor at Leopardstown.

‘The Fly’ then went on to win his 4th successive Irish Champion Hurdle in late January, confirming he’s still on top of his game by handing another beating to rival Our Conor.

Occupying favouritism in the Champion Hurdle at 3/1 with Betfred, Hurricane Fly will be one tough cookie to beat, but this years renewal looks packed with worthy opponents, The New One being the main threat in the betting market at 7/2 with Our Conor available at 3/1.

Can Hurricane Fly win his 3rd Champion Hurdle?

Why not take a look at this video which gets trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh’s view on Hurricane Fly’s chances.

This years Cheltenham Festival looks an absolute cracker, although it has been slightly marred with the news that Champion chaser Sprinter Sacre will play no part due to a minor heart problem which has seen him produce some under par training performances.

However, with Quevega, The New One, Big Bucks, Bobs Worth, Sire De Grugy and plenty of other potential superstars on the cards, the 2014 Cheltenham Festival could be one of the best yet for the spectator and punter alike.