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What a superb performance today from the almost 11 year old.
Surely this is the best hurdler of the last 20 years.
It was a great performance today he just loves leopardstown I agree he would have to be up there with the best of the past twenty years although there’s been some good ones imagine the fly up against istabraq brave inca and hardy eustace to name a but a few now that would be a race
The way The Fly put his head down and stretched for the line was electrifying. We won’t see his like again. Not much between him and Istabraq, perhaps Istabraq was more superior to his contemporaries
Indeed, absolutely superb from The Fly. Maybe a touch of speed has gone, but he’s got so much heart that it doesn’t matter. If he lands upsides anything at the last, you know he’ll come out on top. Now, somebody fill Cheltenham’s undersoil drainage with jelly powder and give the old boy a heavy ground Champion Hurdle!
It’s an interesting comparison between Hurricane Fly and Istabraq. Especially as he has aged, Hurricane Fly has preferred softer conditions. Istabraq floundered in the deepest mud more than once. Perhaps they’re equal in the versatility stakes then?
Hurricane Fly edges Istabraq in the jumping department given his near flawless record and cat-like balance in maintaining momentum if he doesn’t meet one right. Istabraq took two pearling falls.
Longevity and soundness is a tough one to call since Hurricane Fly used to be rather fragile and Istabraq was robbed of a Champion Hurdle by Foot & Mouth disease.
In terms of raw ability, I’d probably just edge it to Istabraq given some of his efforts in unfavourable conditions. Only just losing to the mighty Limestone Lad over a longer distance in the mud was a huge effort, likewise his narrow defeat to Pridwell in the Aintree Hurdle when wheelspinning in the goo. In contrast, Hurricane Fly was quite firmly put in his place in two quite mediocre Champion Hurdles on quick ground and slapped around by Jezki at Punchestown last Spring.
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