Dunguib Withdrawal Leaves Hurricane Fly as Irish Champion Hurdle Favourite

A less-than-stellar blood test has prompted Dunguib’s connections to withdraw him from the widely-anticipated Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown this Sunday. The Philip Fenton-trained eight year-old prompted one of the biggest uproars in recent years when he was beaten in the Supreme Novices’ by Menorah at last year’s Cheltenham festival, despite being considered a pure festival banker.

The best Dunguib could muster on his seasonal debut was a disappointing sixth place to the respected Hurricane Fly.

Willy Mullins charge has taken over the reigns as the major ante post favourite for this contest with a number of high-profile bookmakers pricing Hurricane Fly at a slim 1/2 listing across the board. Dunguib’s withdrawal has shifted things around in the markets with Solwhit now being considered the clear second favourite.

A Hurricane Fly/Solwhit forecast looks set to be a confident play this weekend by a number of punters as this tandem finished 1-2 in the Grade 1 Festival Hurdle back on December 29th. The going on the day was heavy and observers are expecting things to be on the softer side this Sunday. Neither runner is taken out of the equation due to the ground with both players acquitting themselves well over both heavy and softer going.

Hurricane Fly has gotten the better of Solwhit in three straight races (one of which was over the Leopardstown surface) and he will be well-backed to continue that impressive run of form again on Sunday.  

Voler La Vedette is undefeated when running at Leopardstown though it should be noted those victories came at maiden and listed level- nowhere near the Grade 1 caliber he’ll be facing on Sunday.