Hurricane Fly and Jezki to renew rivalry in World Series Hurdle

Hurricane Fly and Jezki will clash yet again but this time over three miles in the Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle at Punchestown on Thursday.

The former champion hurdlers have been having a running battle this season and despite Jezki getting the better of his old rival twice at the end of last season, he has been behind Willie Mullins’ veteran in four of his five races this season.

On the one occasion Hurricane Fly was not in opposition, Jessica Harrington’s Jezki won the Aintree Hurdle over two and a half miles.

Mullins mooted stepping Hurricane Fly up in trip at the start of the season but such was his form he did not feel the need until now.

The champion trainer has also declared Thousand Stars and Zaidpour while Harrington also runs Jetson, winner of this race 12 months ago and Ttebbob.

Tony Martin is represented by I Shot The Sheriff and Dedigout with Sandra Hughes running Lieutenant Colonel.

Captainofthefleet, Lots Of Memories and Zabana make up the 12 runners.

Un De Sceaux will face just five rivals in Thursday's Ryanair Novice Chase, with stablemate Vautour not featuring in the field.

Mullins had intended to run Vautour against his elders in Tuesday’s Champion Chase but the trainer was not happy with his final workout.

He mooted the possibility of him running later in the week, but that has not come to pass.

Mullins still has the likely long odds-on favourite in Un De Sceaux, though, after such a dominant display in the Arkle at Cheltenham.

Henry de Bromhead’s Smashing was beaten a long way in the Arkle but performed much better at Fairyhouse when third to Gilgamboa, although he drops down in trip.

Ted Veale runs for Tony Martin and Mouse Morris is represented by Real Steel.

There are two challengers from Britain in the Jeremy Scott-trained Melodic Rendezvous and Micky Hammond’s Just Cameron.