Money piles on McManus star for Stayers' Hurdle bid

Punters appear convinced the chief threat to Unowhatimeanharry in the Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle will also be carrying green and gold hoops, with Jezki reportedly "smashed up" on Thursday.

Available at 7-1 with Ladbrokes in the morning, the JP McManus-owned 2014 Champion Hurdle winner was cut to 9-2 by the firm after what was described as a gamble in Ireland. Bet365, Betfred and Coral likewise shortened the nine-year-old's Stayers' Hurdle odds, in their cases to 5-1 (from 6).

The identity of Jezki’s Cheltenham Festival target has been in the balance since he returned last month from nearly two years out to win convincingly over the Stan James Champion Hurdle trip of two miles at Navan.

The absence of Annie Power and Faugheen from the race heightened talk of a bid for the Champion Hurdle, but he is 12-1 for that with the sponsor and Thursday's market moves suggest the Stayers' could be the destination for the Jessica Harrington-trained star.

Good enough for either

Harrington said on Thursday a decision would be made after he contests the 2m Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran on Saturday.

Harrington has no doubt the nine-year-old has lost none of his ability and, asked if he had the class to win either race at Cheltenham, said: “I think he has.”

Harrington added she knew nothing about the gamble on Jezki, who has only Unowhatimeanharry, a 6-4 shot, ahead of him in Ladbrokes’ Stayers’ Hurdle book.

The firm's spokeswoman, Nicola McGeady, said on Thursday: “Jezki has been smashed up for the Stayers' Hurdle this morning ahead of his run at Gowran.

"The money we've seen suggests he will step up to three miles. Unowhatimeanharry is the short-priced favourite but Jezki appears to be the punters' alternative.”

Great chance at the weights

McManus also owns two of the top three in the Champion Hurdle market, Buveur D’Air and Yanworth.

Harrington continued: “We’re not leaning either way. It depends on how he gets on this Saturday. He’s got a great chance at the weights, he’s getting weight off Limini. Conditions are in his favour.”

The going at Gowran on Thursday was soft to heavy on the hurdle course, with dry weather forecast up to Saturday.

Haydock dry

The surface will be more spring-like at Haydock, where the Betfred Grand National Trial will be run on ground that is not heavy for only the third time in 11 years.

Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright said there could even be 'good' in the description on the hurdle course by Saturday as a dry spell continues.

He said: “It's good to soft. We’ve not seen rain for five or six days and it’s likely to continue dry. The hurdle course could get a bit of good in it, but no further than that. I've never known the course as dry as this in February.”

Hat-trick bid

Blaklion is the 9-2 favourite with the sponsor and will offer Willy Twiston-Davies, who recently returned to race-riding over jumps, the chance of a third big Saturday success in a row after success aboard Lord Of The Island in a Grade 3 hurdle at Sandown and Flying Angel in the Kingmaker at Warwick.

Card challenge

Cue Card will face a maximum five rivals in Saturday’s Betfair Ascot Chase, his final test before the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The absence of Kylemore Lough means Jamie Moore is free to ride Traffic Fluide, who makes a quick return seven days after finishing fourth of four behind Altior at Newbury on his first start in 13 months.

Irish Cavalier, who beat Cue Card in the Charlie Hall Chase in October, is set to be partnered by Jonathan Moore, his first ride for Rebecca Curtis since December 14.

Moore was appointed stable jockey to Curtis last year and rode 20 winners from 90 runners for the trainer before the two seemingly parted company, although Curtis said at that time: "Jonathan was never fully committed to being over here and has a young baby in Ireland."

Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels reported on Thursday: “We’re soft and I don’t envisage that changing between now and raceday.

"We had 3mm of rain on Wednesday. It’s been dry since and it’s remaining dry and mild, but the ground doesn't dry quickly at this time of year.”