Jezki and Hurricane Fly set for World duel
The pair have had countless battles over two miles in the last two seasons but both were put in their place by Faugheen in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
With Willie Mullins’ unbeaten star staying over two miles, his vanquished rivals are to step up in trip, with Jezki already having won at Liverpool over two and a half miles.
“As of this morning the plan is to go three miles in the World Hurdle on Thursday,” Jezki’s trainer Jessica Harrington said yesterday.
“Like all plans, it can all change. He won over two and a half at Aintree and he’d been well beaten by Faugheen at Cheltenham. He shouldn’t have trouble with the trip, there’s lots of stamina in the family, Jetson gets three miles well and there’s no reason if he relaxes he shouldn’t get it.
“It sounds like Hurricane Fly is going that way too so we’ll probably be looking at his backside again — but hopefully not!”
Connections of Hurricane Fly are keen to step the record-breaking Grade One winner up in trip and Mullins admitted he has had the French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil in mind for him for some time, but has decided against it so far.
“There’s a good chance (of running in the World Series Hurdle),” said Mullins.
“We’ve been discussing it the last few days at home. It’s a real runner at the moment.
“I think the trip is no problem and I’m seriously coming round to running him in this.”
