First published at 13.37.
IT WAS BILLED to be the most thrilling contest of the Leopardstown Festival and it didn’t disappoint.
For a second time in a row Hurricane Fly managed to pip Jezki to land the Ryanair Hurlde and a 21st Grade One win for this incredible racehorse.
Just days short of his 11th birthday and with some punters doubting his ability Ruby Walsh steered him to yet another Leopardstown win.
It was a sterling run and an impressive jumping performance from Jezki but he just didn’t have enough to overcome Walsh’s steed at the racecourse he has made his home.
Going into the race as the 5/6 favourite the Willie Mullins trained hurdler was in the middle of the pack for most of the race while Plinth led the bunch.
Inevitably however it would come down to the Fly and Jezki and Ruby and AP. With both horses neck and neck right up to the finish line it was impossible to pick a winner but Mullins’ horse just managed to dip the head at the line and take the €60,000 prize.
Speaking to RTÉ Mullins said there would never be another horse like Hurricane Fly.
“I think he’s the best anyone has ever trained over jumps. I’ll never have another horse like him. He’s unique.”
Don Poli takes the Topaz Novice Chase
The final Irish Grade One race of 2014 saw Bryan Cooper add to his three wins yesterday as he led Don Poli to the Topaz Novice Chase.
Coming to the last it was Paul Carberry on Apache Stronghold, the 5/1 outsider, who was leading and jumped further ahead of Don Poli at the fence.
However, Cooper showed his mettle to battle back and deliver yet another win for Willie Mullins and Gigginstown Stud.
In Limerick only three horses went in the Cliona’s Foundation Novices Hurdle and it was Martello Tower, ridden by Danny Mullins that beat the favurite Outlander by a neck in the €30,000 Grade Three race.
A close finish looked as if it would see Outlander win as he was ahead with yards to go but Martello Tower managed to squeeze by right at the line.
Earlier in the day at Leopardstown Davy Russell led Windsor Park to a two and a half length victory over Royal Caviar in the Copper Face Jacks Maiden Hurdle.
In the Ryanair National Hunt Flat Race, 5/6 favourite Virgil overcame Bellshill by a length to deny Willie Mullins another victory.
Updated at 15.49.
