Jezki (Tony McCoy) leads over the last from Hurricane Fly© Photo Healy Racing
In the hoof-prints of his big race winning half-brother from yesterday, Jetson, Jezki confirmed his status as the new king of the timber toppers when making all to take the Grade 1 Racing Post Champion Hurdle at Punchestown thus completing another treble at the Festival for Jessica Harrington.
He had to make his own pace under Tony McCoy and jumped to his left.
However it's clear that Hurricane Fly isn't the horse he once was and his usual 'zip' wasn't there from before the last.
The J P McManus-owned (his battle to be champion owner with Gigginstown will now go to the final day) Jezki went left again at the final flight but the Cheltenham hero from March 11th stayed on strongly up the run-in to defeat Hurricane Fly by three and a quarter lengths.
There were twelve lengths back to sole other participant, another Harrington runner, Steps To Freedom
Mrs Harrington, bringing up a 186/1 treble after Operating and Burn And Turn s wins earlier, said: "It's been absolutely fantastic – unbelievable.
"To have three yesterday and three again today is beyond my wildest dreams.
"I think Johnny (her recently deceased husband) is doing a lot of the pushing.
"It's very hard to come here after winning at Cheltenham. If he was beat here people would say he won a soft Champion Hurdle but he's come here and won again so it's fantastic.
"He was very good after Cheltenham and he had a very, very good preparation for this.
"He was good coming into the race and everything went according to plan.
"I let him (Tony McCoy) do what he wanted. He was the man in the saddle and he's the best in the world.
"I'm not sure I watched much of the race as my eyes were closed most of the time.
"Especially today the hood helped with the atmosphere and a lot of people cheering.
"He's only six – he's a young horse and I'd say he'll stay hurdling for the moment.
"He'll probably go down the same route next year."
Willie Mullins and connections of Hurricane Fly will see how the record-breaker is over the summer before deciding what course of action to take for next season.
Betting Info - Powers - Jezki unchanged at 6s for the 2014 Champion Hurdle and Faugheen is their new 4/1 favourite from 5s. Vautour is now 7s from 5s with Powers for the Champion.
Meanwhile Boylesports are unchanged at 5s about Jezki for the 2014 Champion. They go 7s unchanged Vautour and make him 5s for the 2014 Arkle. (GC & EM)
