Jezki claimed a very dramatic running of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in a head bobbing finish up the hill, just getting the better of My Tent Or Yours in a 1-2 for owner, JP McManus writes BETDAQ’s JOHN SHERIDAN.
Ridden cunningly by Barry Geraghty, the pair hit the front over the second last with the eventual winner battling on better up the hill to win by a neck.
Our Conor and Captain Cee Bee set the early pace from when the tapes went up, however the Dessie Hughes trained, Our Conor was a casualty at the fourth flight in what looked like a very heavy fall, hampering The New One in the process.
From there, Captain Cee Bee led the field until running down the hill when Ruby Walsh moved alongside the leader on Hurricane Fly. All the while, Tony McCoy and Barry Geraghty tracked the two leaders with Sam Twiston Davies forced to make ground up on the outside.
Approaching the second last though, everything changed as Barry Geraghty made a decisive move on the inside of Hurricane Fly to just shade the lead. Around the bend, Hurricane Fly matched strides with Geraghty while My Tent Or Yours made his move under Tony McCoy.
At the last however, it was all about Jezki and My Tent Or Yours as they went head to head up the hill as Hurricane Fly was not able to find any more and began to fade.
Up to the line, Jezki was able to hold off the challenge from AP McCoy and kept his head in front on the line in a fantastic ride from Barry Geraghty who is unbeaten in five runs on the 6 Year old.
Straight after the race, a jubilant Geraghty commented on Channel 4; ‘’It was great for the horse, he really deserved this. I don’t think the price reflected his chance. He’s a great horse and I’m delighted to win for Jessie, I’ve ridden loads of winners for her over the years and I’m delighted to do it for her.’’
Trainer, Jessica Harrington was winning her first Champion Hurdle following several valiant efforts by Macs Joy in previous years and she said; ‘’This is a great position to be in. Jezki’s a great favourite of ours and Barry Geraghty has a great record on him.’’
While winning owner JP McManus commented in typically modest fashion; ‘’This is very special. Let’s hope all is well with Our Conor. I feel a bit sorry for AP, but that’s the way it is.’’
It was confirmed shortly after the race that Our Conor had to be put down following injuries he suffered in his fall in the Champion Hurdle.
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