Hurricane Fly wins Champion Hurdle

Hurricane Fly became the first horse for 38 years to regain the Champion Hurdle title at Cheltenham as jockey Ruby Walsh and trainer Willie Mullins celebrated an opening-day treble. The 2011 winner looked to be struggling at one stage, but Walsh allowed him to recover and claim a stunning two-and-a-half-length win over defending champion Rock On Ruby. "He's a cracking little horse," said Walsh. "He showed another side to him today and that was guts." Countrywide Flame w third and Zarkandar fourth as Irish supporters saluted victory for Mullins' 13-8 favourite.