Hurricane Fly made a brilliant seasonal reappearance to land back-to-back victories in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Willie Mullins' imperious performer cruised by his pacemaking stable companion Thousand Stars before the final flight under a confident ride from Ruby Walsh and he went on to win as he liked.
The 4-5 favourite romped home by six and a half lengths from Oscars Well, who managed to grab second place, with Thousand Stars third.
Thousand Stars made sure there was a proper gallop despite the appalling conditions as he took the five runners along.
Oscars Well lay second with Hurricane Fly third, tracked by his main market rival Unaccompanied with rank outsider Kalann at the rear.
There was no change in the order until Walsh asked Hurricane Fly to close before the turn for home and he did so with the minimum of fuss.
Although absent since winning the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in May, Hurricane Fly showed no signs of lack of race fitness as he displayed his superiority in no uncertain manner.
Mullins said: "He completely surprised me. It must be as good a performance as he's ever produced.
"They went a right good gallop. Ruby said he wasn't travelling in the ground early on but once he put him in the race three out, he came alive.
"I was a bit anxious about the ground and he was very quiet beforehand, but maybe he's just maturing.
"Normally it takes two lads to lead him as he can be a bit tight.
"We had been worried before Cheltenham last year how he would handle everything, including the parade, but he went round like a handicapper today.
"I was a little concerned he would flop as my first two runners disappointed. I was surprised how fit he appeared. We'll keep a lid on him between now and Cheltenham."
