Jezki takes Champion Hurdle glory

Jezki got the better of My Tent Or Yours to claim victory in th Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Jessica Harrington's charge travelled powerfully in the hands of Barry Geraghty and loomed large alongside dual winner Hurricane Fly rounding the home turn.

Tony McCoy’s mount My Tent Or Yours, like Jezki carrying the colours of JP McManus, came to challenge Jezki after the final flight but Jezki dug deep to prevail by a neck.

The New One finished strongly to grab third spot, having been hampered by the bad fall of Our Conor early in the race.

Hurricane Fly had to settle for fourth.

There was a strong pace from the outset in the two-mile showpiece, with Captain Cee Bee challenged by Our Conor, just ahead of hat-trick seeking 11-4 favourite Hurricane Fly. The decisive moment in the race was Our Conor’s heavy fall at the third flight, severely compromising The New One’s chance in the process.

Hurricane Fly travelled with his usual zest in the hands of Ruby Walsh and moved sweetly to the lead, but it was clear 9-1 shot Jezki had much more to give, sporting a hood for the first time.

Harrington’s charge moved to the lead on the run to the final flight and jumped it well, but My Tent Or Yours emerged as a serious threat in the hands of McCoy. The champion jockey threw everything at the Nicky Henderson-trained runner-up, but Jezki was not for passing.

Jezki had been ridden in his four previous starts this season by McCoy. Geraghty, now unbeaten in five outings on Jezki, said: “He’s a great little horse. He had good form and he didn’t have a lot to find with the best of them. I don’t think his price reflected his chance.

“It was also a great run by the runner-up. I’m sure JP (McManus) will be delighted with the first two home. The runner-up was getting to me, I needed the line.

“I’ve been riding winners for Jessie since I was 17 or 18. She’s been great to me over the years with the likes of Moscow Flyer and it’s great to do it again here for her.”

The New One’s trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said: “He definitely lost more ground than he was beaten through no fault of his own. It was just very hard luck.

“In the Christmas Hurdle he was unlucky and he was unlucky here. Let’s hope we can stop it.

“What could Sam (Twiston-Davies) say? I was so proud of him, having been dealt a very bad hand, the way he got the horse back in the race very gently and there at the last, so well done him.

“I’m wondering just how good our horse is. He hasn’t proved it today but maybe he is very, very good.

“If he’s OK, we’ll certainly go to Aintree.”

Despite being treated at length on the track, Our Conor, such a brilliant winner of the Triumph Hurdle 12 months ago, had to be put down as a result of his injuries.

The British Horseracing Authority tweeted: “Sad to confirm that Our Conor, after extensive treatment by veterinary surgeons, was humanely put down due to a suspected serious back injury.”

3.20 Champion Hurdle
1 Jezki (B J Geraghty) 9-1
2 My Tent Or Yours (A P McCoy) 3-1
3 The New One (Sam Twiston-Davies) 10-3