Hurricane Fly looks set to make his much anticipated seasonal debut at this weekend’s Punchestown Winter Festival Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th November. There are a total of seven entries remaining in the feature race of the two day fixture, the Grade 1 Dobbins & Madigans Morgiana Hurdle.
Joining Irelands leading hurdler are stable mates Blackstairsmountain and Zaidpour, recent Tipperary winner Captain Cee Bee, Edward O’Gradys entry Staying Article and Unaccompanied from the Dermot Weld stable.
When asked how preparations were going with Hurricane Fly trainer Willie Mullins said “We’re very happy with him this year so far. He came back off grass a much stronger horse and seems to be more forward than he was at this stage last year. He did a nice piece of work recently so we look set for the Morgiana at Punchestown”.
However it appears Hurricane Fly’s main danger comes in the form of triple grade 1 winner Go Native from the Noel Meade stable. Following up on a recent win on the flat in Galway, his trainer looks forward to Go Natives return to hurdling on Sunday “I was delighted with his performance at Galway and to be honest his turn of foot surprised us a little. He seemed to be right back to his best so we are looking forward to Sunday. Obviously if Hurricane Fly turns up he will be the horse to beat”.
In addition to top class racing there will be an abundance of family entertainment as part of the Ballymore Winter Fair. This fundraising initiative was a huge contributor to the large attendance last year with plenty of free activities for children, up to 60 shopping units in the arts and crafts area and a strong possibility of an early season cameo appearance from Santa Claus.
Dick O’Sullivan, Punchestown General Manager, looks forward to another successful Winter festival “Last year these two days broke records attendance wise for us and we are really looking forward to a great couple of days once more. The Dobbins and Madigans Morgiana Hurdle is a quality race and has once again attracted top class hurdlers. Needless to say Hurricane Fly will be a big draw for racegoers as will the Ballymore fair for families and locals. The efforts of the Ballymore GAA committee are a huge contributing factor to the success of this meeting”.
The Punchestown Winter Festival and Ballymore Fair takes place Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th November. The first of eight races on Saturday goes to post at 11.55am and the seven race card on Sunday gets underway at 12.35pm
Admission is just €10 for adults, €7 for students and seniors and all children under 14 race for free.
2012 Dobbins and Madigans Morgiana Hurdle – Grade 1 – 2 miles
Blackstairsmountain
Captain Cee Bee
Go Native
Hurricane Fly
Staying Article
Zaidpour
Unaccompanied