Trainer Willie Mullins has insisted that Hurricane Fly is in fine form ahead of the nine-year-old's bid to regain the Champion Hurdle title at the Cheltenham Festival this week.

The Irish-owned horse won the race back in 2011, but could only muster a third-placed finish a year later as Rock On Ruby claimed the victory.

However, this time around Hurricane Fly is the favourite to win with the bookmakers and with that in mind, Mullins has admitted that he could not "be happier" with how the preparation has gone.

"Hurricane Fly travelled over well and has settled in very well at the track. We couldn't be happier with him and unlike last year when he finished third in the race, he has had a trouble-free season," the Racing Post quotes Mullins as saying.

"Everything has gone right with him since he returned from his summer break. He has continued to please us at home and his racecourse performances have been very good. He has been working well and the way we see it there are no negatives."

Ruby Walsh will be on board Hurricane Fly today, with the race due to get underway at 4pm.