Jezki eases to second successive Grade 1

Jezki recorded back to back Grade 1 victories as he took the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle in impressive fashion.

Ridden by Robbie Power and trained by Jessica Harrington, the son of Milan was sent off the 11/8 favourite after he won the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse last time out.

Having chased the leaders for much of the race, he was fourth at the halfway stage.

He moved into third at the third last and he travelled strongly into the straight behind Bright New Dawn

Jezki then hit the front before the last and he quickly stretched clear on the run-in when ridden, going on to score by and impressive six lengths.

The Dermot Weld trained Waaheb (3/1) ran a fine race to finish second under Tony McCoy on just his second start over hurdles while Bright New Dawn was a further two lengths back in third under Davy Russell for Dessie Hughes at 9/1.

Jessica Harrington said afterwards: He was very good. They seemed to go a good pace and Robert (Power) even took a pull going to the last.

"The slightly better ground helped him and he will either come back here for the Deloitte Novice Hurdle or go straight to Cheltenham for the Supreme.

"He seems to be better going left handed but he does go the other way and he will definitely be better on better ground."

Both Paddy Powers & Stan James have made Jezki the 6/1 favourite (from 10/1) for the Supreme Novices Hurdle while Boylesports have him at 7/1 favourite (from 10/1).

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)