Hurricane Fly continued his love affair with Leopardstown and pressed his claims ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.
The veteran hurdler defeated arch rival Jezki for the third time this season to win the Irish Champion Hurdle for a record fifth, adding a 22nd Grade 1 success to his remarkable CV.
Jessica Harrington’s reigning Cheltenham champion again put it up to Hurricane Fly, and when Jezki went to the front as they turned for home it looked like the tables might be turned for the first time since last March.
But Ruby Walsh urged The Fly alongside as they jumped the last and a Jezki error handed Walsh the initiative and the Willie Mullins stable star duly made it ten out of ten at the Dublin track.
Mullins other runner, Arctic Fire, finished strongly to come second, but the cheers were reserved The Fly.
Arkle contender Un De Sceaux was equally impressive for Mullins, dominating the field on his Grade 1 debut in the Arkle Novices’ Chase.
