Countrywide Flame and Hurricane Fly expected to compete in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle
One of the most interesting clashes of the 2012 National Hunt season can be the expected encounter of Countrywide Flame and Hurricane Fly. The two are most likely to collide in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle on 29th December at Leopardstown. Countrywide Flame’s trainer, John Quinn, seems far more concerned about the outcome of the race as compared to the major opponent.
Haafhd’s bay gelding, Countrywide Flame, was most recently successful in the Grade 1 StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle on 1st December, 2012 at Newcastle race course over two miles. Taking flights over the eight hurdles with the jockey, Denis O’Regan, he defeated the favourite entry, Cinders And Ashes, by twelve lengths.
"He's in good fettle. He'll be entered in the Christmas Hurdle and he's in the Istabraq Hurdle. He'll run in one or the other," said Quinn.
"He likes galloping tracks so I suppose Leopardstown would be more his cup of tea than Kempton, but if we go to Ireland we have to take on Hurricane Fly. We have to take him on some time."
Not only is the Willie Mullins’ trained, Hurricane Fly, unbeaten in the only opening of the new season, he is the Grade 1 Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy victor too. He landed the last edition of the race on 15th March at Cheltenham over two miles and half-furlong.
Montjeu’s eight-year-old bay gelding penetrated the new season by winning the Grade 1 Dobbins & Madigans @ Punchestown Morgiana Hurdle on 18th November, 2012 at Punchestown over two miles.
The runner-up, Captain Cee Bee was beat by twelve lengths while the winner was the mount of jockey, Ruby Walsh.
Countrywide Flame has been active thrice during the season and has captured the winner’s prize money at two occasions. If his very recent success was due to his own effort or the withdrawal of some really important entries will come out in the open by the end of this month.
Trainer, Harry Fry pulled back Rock On Ruby while Darlan was ruled out by trainer, Nicky Henderson.
The much younger bay gelding than Hurricane Fly, opened the season with a success in the Hill Dickinson Handicap on 14th September, 2012 at Chester over two miles.
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