Racing: Hurricane Fly wins Irish Champion

Willie Mullins' talented hurdler remains unbeaten this season after readily confirming his superiority over old nemesis Solwhit in the BHP Insurances Irish Champion Hurdle.

Mullins said: "I think he'll go straight to Cheltenham now. I haven't any other plans for him. I'm delighted to get that over with. It's our first Irish Champion Hurdle success so I'm going to enjoy it."

Realt Dubh, meanwhile, just edged out Noble Prince in a tremendous finish to the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase.

There was nothing between the two from the final fence, but it was the Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh, ridden by Paul Carberry, who was a short head to the good at the line.

Meade said: "He'll go for the Arkle at Cheltenham now and, looking further down the line, the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse is another probable target."

Day Of A Lifetime, also trained by Mullins, was earlier cut for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle after an impressive display in the Frank Conroy Memorial Maiden Hurdle.

Mullins said: "We'll try to get another run into him before Cheltenham but it may not be possible to run him again before the Festival.

"He'll be entered for both the Supreme Novices' and the Neptune."

Master Minded landed a second Victor Chandler Chase on Saturday - but it is fair to say the once invincible aura he had is no more.

Although the Clive Smith-owned eight-year-old lost his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown to Big Zeb in March, there appeared to be valid excuses for the defeat given he had a rib injury for most of last season and has since undergone a breathing operation.

While it may seem folly to claim a horse unbeaten in three runs is not at his best, Somersby pushed him all the way.

A four-length advantage at the final fence shrunk to a short head at the line, with champion trainer Paul Nicholls a relieved man. "I was disappointed initially because turning in I thought he was going to go away and win quite nice and then I was thinking something obviously isn't quite right with the way the horses are running," said Nicholls. "I said that to AP (McCoy) but he wasn't having any of that, he just said he gave him a bad ride - his words, not mine."

There was a warm reception for veteran trainer Pat Rodford as his Sparky May turned in an excellent performance in the 1942 Was A Vintage Year Mares' Hurdle.In beating Nicky Henderson's Carole's Legacy, arguably the most consistent mare in England and second in the David Nicholson last season, Sparky May set herself up for a tilt at the Festival race.

Rodford said: "Just occasionally you get a horse that defies all logic and here you have one.

"We will now go for the David Nicholson race at Cheltenham."

Meanwhile, Wetherby anticipate no problems despite playing safe by calling a precautionary inspection at 8am ahead of today's meeting. The West Yorkshire track is currently raceable and as long as the forecast is accurate then the fixture should go ahead without a hitch.

"We'd be raceable today, but we've got minus 1C forecast from about 3am to about 6.30am and then we've got plus 4C or 5C, so if that's accurate I don't envisage any trouble," said clerk of the course Jonjo Sanderson. "We've had minus 1C forecast over the last few days they have turned out to be minus 4C and 5C. If we got any of that severity then it might cause us some issues so I just wanted to put one in place to be able to act if we need to."

Kempton

1.05 Albaraka

1.35 Fifth In Line

2.10 Final Rhapsody

2.45 Frameit

3.20 Affinity

3.50 Big Bay

4.25 Haulit

Wetherby

12.55 Tigre D'Aron

1.25 Go On Be A Lady

2.00 Terenzium

2.35 Alfie Sherrin

3.10 A Bridge Too Far (nap)

3.40 La Pantera Rosa

4.15 Sambelucky.

Wolverhampton

2.20 Rhal

2.55 Final Verse

3.30 Tres Froide

4.05 Shamardal Phantom

4.35 Tiradito

5.05 Ravi River

5.35 Querido

Double

A Bridge

Too Far

3:10 Wetherby

Big Bay

3:50 Kempton