Jezki recovered from finishing last of four in the 2014 Irish Champion Hurdle to memorably secure the hurdling crown at Cheltenham just six weeks later and Jessica Harrington's star remains on course to defend his crown in March.
The JP McManus owned horse finished a relatively disappointing third to Hurricane Fly at Leopardstown over the weekend but a last-flight mistake probably cost him second according to the owner’s racing manager, Frank Berry.
“He was probably going to be second again and there’s no real excuses,” Berry said. “Hurricane Fly is a wonderful horse and it was no disgrace to be beaten by him round there. Hopefully all will go well between now and Cheltenham. Everyone has to get there on the day.”
This Sunday’s Boylesports Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown has proved a perfect warm-up for Queen Mother Champion Chase glory in the past and Hidden Cyclone could try to secure the Grade 2 feature this weekend.
Hidden Cyclone is currently a 25-1 shot for the two-mile crown at the festival in March and trainer ‘Shark’ Hanlon has already indicated his star performer is more likely to run in that race than the Ryanair in which he was runner-up in 2014.
Big Zeb won the Tied Cottage on route to winning the Queen Mother in 2010 while it was also the prep for Moscow Flyer’s two famous Cheltenham victories in 2002 and 2005.
The shortest priced Irish contender for the Champion Chase is currently Champagne Fever, a general 8-1 chance in most ante-post lists.
