Hurricane is on course for Hurdle bid

The nine-year-old took his tally of Grade One victories to 18 when lifting the Ryanair Hurdle at the Dublin venue at Christmas.

He showed his well-being ahead of his bid to claim the Irish Champion for the fourth year running with a pleasing spin under his regular work rider Paul Townend last Thursday.

"All's well with him at the moment and he's on target for Leopardstown on Sunday," said Mullins.

Victory at the weekend, where he is again expected to clash with Jezki and Our Conor, would see Hurricane Fly emulate the feat of Istabraq in the Leopardstown showpiece.

FAHEY HOPES JEWEL SHINES IN BOYNE RUN

Jennies Jewel (pictured) could run in next month's Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle before a likely assault at the OLBG Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The consistent seven-year-old, trained in county Kildare by Jarlath Fahey, was a good second to Rule The World in the Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas on Saturday.

Jennies Jewel might now step back up in class at Navan on February 16 before travelling to England in March.

Fahey said: "That was the first time this year she has come up against older horses, so it was a very, very good effort.

"Her form is very solid – she's not been outside the first three since last April – and the plan is now to go to Cheltenham.

"She'll have an entry in the Coral Hurdle, but the idea is to go for the mares' race.

"We are also debating whether to go for the Boyne Hurdle before Cheltenham.

"She stays well and has plenty of pace.

"The only question mark has to be whether it will be soft enough for her at Cheltenham."