Jezki (left) is pushed out by Tony McCoy to beat Caid Du Berlais and Flaxen Flare (blinkers) © Photo Healy Racing
Champion Hurdle prospect Jezki eased into the new season with a highly satisfactory victory under Tony McCoy in the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal.
The Jessie Harrington-trained five-year-old set off in front at a funereal pace and the jockey gradually stepped it up as Flaxen Flare tracked him before joining issue at the third-last flight.
McCoy, riding his 3,992nd winner as he pursues the magical 4,000, saw off that rival and then asked the 2-9 favourite to quicken up to dispose of Caid Du Berlais which he did by three and a quarter lengths. The Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown is next on the agenda.
Harrington won both the big races on the card as 11-4 chance Gambling Girl took the step up to Grade Three class in her stride in the EBF Lough Construction Ltd Mares Novice Hurdle.
Robbie Power eased her into the lead after the second-last flight and though she made a complete hash of the last, she had plenty in the locker and picked up again to beat Roja Dove by eight lengths.
Tom Taaffe's ultra-consistent grey Gold Bullet (5-2 favourite) put up an eyecatching display on his introduction to fencing in the Porter & Co Beginners Chase, taking command going to two out under Ruby Walsh and finishing five lengths clear with the minimum of fuss.
Patrick Downey brought The King Of Brega (9-2) back from a year and a half off to win easily at Thurles last week and the six-year-old followed up in the Allianz Handicap Hurdle, leading for most of the way under Robbie Colgan and coasting in by 10 lengths.< Doesheeverstop put his experience to good use in a messy race for the Eventsec Maiden Hurdle, in which there were plenty in with a chance in the closing stages. Michael Hourigan's 20-1 shot broke his duck in winning by three-quarters of a length under Andrew McNamara.
