Hurricane Fly will seek to become the first horse to win the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle for a fifth time at Leopardstown on Sunday, January 25th.

Already a world record holder with 21 Grade 1 successes to his name, Hurricane Fly is currently tied with Istabraq on four wins in the two-mile contest but heads an entry of eight horses for this year’s €110,000 renewal as he bids to maintain a remarkable unbeaten record at the course.

Jezki, trained by Jessica Harrington, is set to provide the stiffest competition once again after the pair served up a thrilling finish to the Grade 1 Ryanair Hurdle only last week in which Hurricane Fly prevailed by half-a-length.

In addition, his trainer Willie Mullins is likely to be represented in the race by the Ryanair Hurdle third Arctic Fire and he has also entered Kempton’s runaway Christmas Hurdle winner Faugheen and Diakali.

Trainer Des McDonogh enjoyed success on back-to-back days at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival and he has entered his Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle winner Fiscal Focus. The Aidan O’Brien-trained Plinth and last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner Tiger Roll, trained by Gordon Elliott complete the line-up.

Clarcam won the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival and he heads the entries for the in the €80,000 Grade 1 Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase which has attracted an entry of 10.

Willie Mullins has a strong hand headed by Un De Sceaux and Vautour. Both enjoyed contrasting fortunes on their most recent outings with Un De Sceaux bouncing back from his fall on his chasing debut at Thurles to win at Fairyhouse while Vautour lost his unbeaten record when second in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on St. Stephen’s Day. Mullins has also put his Grade 1 Drinmore Chase winner Valseur Lido in the race and Adriana Des Mottes, a three-time winner for the yard, completes his entry.

Clarcam brought Vautour’s impressive winning sequence to an end last time and he looks set to represent high-flying Gordon Elliott while Enda Bolger’s stylish Limerick winner Gilgamboa would be another leading fancy as would Noel Meade’s Grade 1 Topaz Novice Chase runner-up Apache Stronghold. Mouse Morris has entered both Band Of Blood and Real Steel and the Matthew Smith-trained Rawnaq is also engaged.

Pat Keogh, CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse said: “We are honoured that Hurricane Fly will be back at Leopardstown for the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle on Sunday, January 25th. His record here speaks for itself and the crowds love him. What a race we have in store for the Grade 1 Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase. With his style of racing, Un De Sceaux is one you can’t take your eye off. I’m sure Vautour will be back and a rematch with Clarcam who was one of the most impressive winners we had at Christmas will be something to look forward to.”