Jessica Harrington aiming for more Jezki glee

Jessica Harrington is confident Jezki is in at least as good a form as 12 months ago as he prepares to defend his crown in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham today.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old looked capable of becoming the new dominant force in the division after following up last year’s triumph by beating Hurricane Fly once more at Punchestown, but he has found Willie Mullins’ brilliant hurdler too strong on each of their three meetings this season.

That was also the case last term, however, with Jezki twice beaten by Hurricane Fly at Leopardstown before comprehensively reversing the form at Prestbury Park.