Jezki to renew Hurricane rivalry
The four-times Grade One winner emerged with plenty of credit after coming off second best behind Willie Mullins’ incredible gelding, who was collecting an astonishing 18th top-level triumph.
Harrington said: “He’s come out of the race very well, I’m very pleased with him.
“I was very happy with how he ran on the day. There’ll be another day for him, hopefully.
“He’ll be entered for the Irish Champion Hurdle and, all being well, that’s where he’ll run.”
Meanwhile, Willie Mullins is looking forward to seeing unbeaten mare Annie Power gain some valuable Cheltenham experience as she meets two Paul Nicholls-trained rivals in the Dornan Engineering Hurdle today.
The exciting chestnut secured her eighth and most significant victory on her first visit to Britain in November, getting the better of the reopposing Zarkandar by five lengths in the Coral Ascot Hurdle.
Zarkandar is slightly better off at the weights as the pair do battle for the second time over the intermediate distance of an extended two and a half miles.
Annie Power has the option of going back to two miles for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March or stepping up to three miles for the World Hurdle, but Mullins is in no rush to commit her to either race.
“We want to keep winning races with her until we get to Cheltenham (in March), then we’ll decide,” Ireland’s champion trainer told At The Races.
“We think she is very good, so she is going to have this run which should tell us a lot.
“It will be good to get a spin around Cheltenham. She’s done everything we’ve asked of her so far.”
Nicholls also saddles Empire Levant, who carries the colours of Alex Ferguson but would appear to have little chance on official ratings.
Willie Mullins meanwhile has suggested Briar Hill could be the least likely starter of his quartet for Saturday’s Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown.
Some fascinating runners have been entered in the Grade One, with a e Mullins quartet of Champion Bumper winner Briar Hill, Gitane Du Berlais, Upazo and Vautour potentially in the line-up.
He said: “I just stuck those horses in the Tolworth and I don’t know what we’re going to do yet. Briar Hill may run at Naas on Sunday in the Slaney Hurdle.”
Other promising novices like Nicky Henderson’s Josses Hill, Philip Hobbs’ prolific The Skyfarmer, unbeaten jumper and classy Flat performer Mijhaar and Paul Nicholls’ slick German recruit Irving are also in the mix.
David Pipe expects to learn a lot more about The Liquidator’s ultimate spring prospects after the Tolworth.
The Liquidator has done little wrong himself, finishing fourth in the Champion Bumper, winning at Punchestown and taking his two hurdles at Carlisle and Cheltenham in good style.
“At the weekend, the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown looks like being a real humdinger,” said the trainer.
“The stable has Grade One winner The Liquidator, who is unbeaten in two starts over timber.
“The race should certainly provide a few clues to the novices’ events for the Festival in March.”
