Harrington: Jezki as good as ever and will relish Stayers' trip

Jezki is as good as ever. That is the message from Jessica Harrington who believes her 2014 Champion Hurdle winner is just as talented now as he was back then and she could not be more excited about his prospects in the Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle on Thursday.

It may be three years since Jezki won the Champion Hurdle and he may have missed an entire season through injury, but Harrington feels he could have more to offer over three miles now he has learned to settle in the early part of his races.

She said: "Jezki is great, really great. Mark Walsh is coming down to school him and it is all systems go. I cannot wait for the race now and he seems to be as good as ever. He has never been a brilliant work horse..

"My gut feeling is he will definitely stay. When he won the Champion Hurdle he flew up the hill. When he won the Aintree Hurdle at Liverpool over two qnd a half miles, he was doing all his work after the last and when he beat Hurricane Fly over three miles at Punchestown, it was the same.

"We have even been able to take the hood off him this year because he is so much more settled. Obviously Unowhatimeanharry is going to be tough to beat but I couldn't be any happier with Jezki and I think we're going with a big chance."

Harrington, who is just one win away from becoming the winningmost female trainer at the festival, does not think stamina will be an issue for her other stable star Sizing John in the Gold Cup.

Harrington said: "Ever since Robbie Power rode him for the first time, he said he was off the bridle the whole way over two miles. He said he was crying out to be stepped up in trip and I think the better ground will bring out the best in him. I watched the video of last year's Arkle the other day and I just loved the way he pinged the final two fences and galloped up the hill."

She added: "Djakadam is a big danger, though. He's the one I'm really afraid of. He's had an uninterrupted preparation this time and has the experience of finishing twice in the race already. He must have a great chance."

On the rest of her team, Harrington said: "Forge Meadow goes in the mares' novice hurdle and won really nicely at Naas last time. She's in good form and I hope she'is good enough.

"Rock On The Moor has become a forgotten mare in the OLBG Mares' Hurdle. She'll love the ground and was second in it last year. I love Someday in the bumper and Robbie Power is really keen on Supasundae in the Coral Cup. We have a lovely team to look forward to."

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