Jezki to stay over hurdles but over which trip we don’t know

His battles with Hurricane Fly have lit up the hurdling division for the past year or so, and it appears Jezki could be set to do battle with his old foe once again, though over what trip remains to be seen.

A winner of the Champion Hurdle over 2m in 2014, the son of Milan found himself upped to 2m4f, running out a potentially fortunate winner of the Aintree Hurdle, before flourishing in his first try at 3m in the Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle.

That victory at Punchestown opens up a whole new route for Jessica Harrington to take with her charge, though it appears no decision has been made as to which road to go down.

Ladbrokes News caught up with Harrington to get the latests on her top hurdler:

“Jezki arrived back in the yard just over a week ago and he looks absolutely fantastic. He will definitely be staying over hurdles this season, and go of (del) over two-and-a-half miles to start with.

“After that we could drop him back down to two mile, you never know, we’ll see how he is. It will be down to Jezki to tell us what he wants to do.”

With AP McCoy hanging up his saddle, it means a more regular partnership could be formed between the eight-time Grade 1 winner and JP McManus’ new jockey Barry Geraghty.

Geraghty was the lucky beneficiary when McCoy opted to ride My Tent or Yours at Cheltenham last year, and guided Jezki to a surprise success.

Having worked with the jockey for many years, Harrington is looking forward to teaming her stable star up with the 35-year-old more regularly in the months ahead.

“It’s lovely having Barry on him, he’s got a great track record onboard and they are actually unbeaten together.

“AP was probably a little unlucky on him but time goes on and now we’ve got Barry and hopeful everything will work out well.”

Though no solid plan has yet been formed the obvious starting place, if a 2m4f contest is key, would be the Hattons Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse, a contest that Jezki’s brother Jetson finished second in last year.

Whether it is the Champion Hurdle or the World Hurdle that is the plan at Cheltenham, the improving seven-year-old could be in for a big season.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.