Hurricane Fly will have to put an injury scare behind him when he bids to claim an historic fourth successive victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The 18-time Grade One winner put younger rivals Jezki and Our Conor firmly in their place with a typically brilliant display in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown's Christmas Festival, and now aims to join Istabraq by winning the Champion Hurdle four times.

However, the 10-year-old's preparation suffered a minor setback earlier this week and trainer Willie Mullins admits his superstar will have to be right on his game for Ruby Walsh if he is to make it eight wins from as many starts at the track this weekend.

"He worked poorly during the week and it turned out he had a bruise on his foot. He seems fine since, so we'll see how he goes," Mullins said.

"We could have taken the easy way out and not run, but at the end of the day it's the Irish Champion Hurdle. Sometimes athletes carry bits of injuries into games and we're happy to let him take his chance.

"I think he will need to reproduce his best form to win as I would expect both Jezki and Our Conor to come forward from the run at Christmas."

Walsh believes the switch of track could play a crucial part in the outcome of the race.

"He hasn't won 18 Grade Ones for no reason. He's won them because he's a very, very good horse," Walsh told Racing UK.

"On Sunday in Leopardstown we'll be on the inner track, which is a sharper, speedier track. If you look at it coldly, it probably suits me a bit better.

"You'd be hoping Hurricane is going to hold them off again."