JEZKI’S D-DAY
Jessie facing a trip poser
DEPENDING on how well JEZKI (3.05) runs in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park today will dictate where the 2014 Champion Hurdler will run at the Cheltenham Festival next month.
The Jessica Harrington-trained nine-year-old has been earmarked to run in the Stayers Hurdle over three miles, but if he bolts in with a ton in hand, he could go for another tilt at the Champion Hurdle. With the absence of Faugheen and Annie Power, the blue riband of hurdling is a wide-open event. Jezki should have little problem batting off four rivals over two miles this afternoon. He impressed on his first run in more than 20 months at Navan, where he cruised home ahead of Renneti and Tombstone, who he faces again. Earlier, BALLYCASEY (1.55) can see off Clarcam and two others in the Red Mills Chase over two and a half miles for trainer Willie Mullins. The 10-year-old bolted up in the Grade Two PWC Champion Chase over the same trip in October, beating Road To Riches by 11 lengths. Last time he was not suited by the shorter trip when third to Arctic Skipper in Navan’s Fortria Chase.
At Navan tomorrow, BALLYOISIN (2.40) can upset Identity Thief in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase.
Trained by Enda Bolger, below, the classy six-year-old fell on his chasing debut but stayed on to win in a beginners’ chase at Fairyhouse last month, beating Townshend by six lengths.
Identity Thief has had a chequered start to his chasing career, having won his opening two starts, but pulling up lame behind Min at Leopardstown and unseating his rider at the first last time out.
Sutton Place looks the obvious choice in the Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle but over two and a half miles THOMAS HOBSON (3.10) is a better value selection.
A top-class staying novice, Mullins’ seven-year-old finished in midfield last time at Leopardstown behind Ice Cold Soul in a high-quality handicap hurdle, but was beaten only four lengths carrying a decent weight.
It was his first outing since April last year and he is sure to come on for the run.