Connections happy enough with Jezki despite another loss
But for a mistake at the final flight, Jezki would have finished second instead of third as Willie Mullins’ incredible performer chalked up a fifth successive win in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
All roads now lead to Cheltenham where Jezki will attempt to retain his crown in the Stan James Champion Hurdle, in which he had Hurricane Fly back in fourth last March.
“He’s come out of the race fine. He ran well, he was probably going to be second again and there’s no real excuses,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus.
“Hurricane Fly is a wonderful horse and it was no disgrace to be beaten by him round there.
“Hopefully all will go well between now and Cheltenham. Everyone has to get there on the day.”
Meanwhile Gilgamboa is likely to step up in trip after losing his 100 per cent record over fences behind the impressive Un De Sceaux at Leopardstown on Sunday.
The seven-year-old has an entry in the JLT Novices’ Chase over two and a half miles at the Cheltenham Festival and that was immediately suggested as a possible target for Gilgamboa, who had won his first two starts over the bigger obstacles at Navan and Limerick.
However, connections will let the dust settle before firming up plans for the Enda Bolger-trained gelding after he finished last of three in the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase over two miles and a furlong.
He is also engaged in the Racing Post Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham.
“It looked like he needs further, but having said that the winner looked different class,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus.
“Obviously, we will have to go up in trip and see how we get on, but the winner was just too good for them.
“We’ll see how he comes out of the race but we won’t make any plans until nearer the time.”
Sire De Grugy delighted trainer Gary Moore on Monday morning after enjoying a first schooling session since suffering injury earlier in the season.
The reigning Queen Mother Champion Chase champion has not run since winning at Sandown in April last year, with his plans for this term disrupted by a setback.
Moore’s nine-year-old came through a serious piece of work on Saturday morning and his latest spin over fences moves him a step nearer to making his return in the Game Spirit at Newbury on Saturday week.
The West Sussex handler told his Betway blog: “At last, Sire De Grugy schooled for the first time this morning since his accident and I’m delighted with him.
“The weather has been a nightmare, really, but the thaw meant that he could pop over 12 fences with Jamie (Moore) and did so with all his usual zest.
“I’m very pleased with what I saw.
“The plan from here is he’ll work Wednesday, Saturday and then again next Tuesday. That should all put us spot-on for Newbury.”
Meanwhile hat-trick seeking Batavir has been made 6-1 favoruite with the sponsors to add to his wins at Ascot and Wincanton in Saturday’s Betfred Mobile Heroes Handicap Hurdle at Sandown.
The David Pipe-trained six-year-old figures among 28 entries made for the Grade 3 race with Polamco and Silsol, both 8-1 chances, rated the likeliest to bring Batavir’s winning run to an end.
Stablemate Kings Palace has been given an entry in the same afternoon’s Grade 2 totepool Towton Novices Chase at Wetherby but Pipe will wait until later in the week before deciding where the leading fancy for the RSA Chase will run.
He said: “Kings Palace could make his much anticipated final run before the festival at Wetherby on Saturday There are a couple more options open to him so we will keep an eye on the ground
