Jezki is ready to fly in battle with Hurricane

Harrington hero in good shape for another shot at rival Hurricane

Hurricane Fly and Jezki

Jezki remains on course for another clash with great rival Hurricane Fly in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle back at Leopardstown on January 25.

The latter narrowly outpointed Jessica Harrington's stable star in a pulsating climax to the Ryanair Hurdle over the festive period, making the score between the pair four wins to two in favour of Hurricane Fly.

Willie Mullins' incredible 11-year-old was retaining his unbeaten record at Leopardstown, but Harrington has taken plenty of heart from the fact the reigning Champion Hurdle winner pushed him all the way to the line.

The County Kildare handler said: "Everything is good. He's come out of the race at Christmas well and we're happy with him.

"He got closer to Hurricane Fly than he ever has before at Leopardstown, so we'll take him on again at the end of the month. We're happy with where we are and we'll take things as they come."

novice

McKinley, shock winner of a Grade One novice event at Naas on Sunday, has been given 11st 2lb in the Boylesports Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 18.

The five-year-old is one of six entries for Willie Mullins as Ireland's champion trainer seeks to win this valuable prize for a third time in five years and a fourth time in all. Mullins' other possibles are Daneking (11st 1lb), Lucky Bridle (11st 1lb), Clondaw Warrior (10st) and Valyssa Monterg (9st 13lb).

Arthur Moore, a six-times Boylesports Hurdle winner, has just Sea Beat (9st 12lb) this time in a 42-strong race entry.

Gordon Elliott has yet to strike, but is giving it a good shot with five in the list headed by top-weight Tiger Roll (11st 10lbs), last year's JCB Triumph Hurdle hero. Elliott, who saddled last year's runner-up Flaxen Flare, has also entered Shadow Catcher (10st 9lb), Fort Smith (9st 12lb), Roll It Out (9st 10lb) and Rocky Wednesday (9st 4lb).

Successful with Xenophon in 2003, Tony Martin has four chances - Ted Veale (11st 4lb), Savello (10st 8lb), Shemshal (10st 3lb) and Elishpour (10st).

The last British-trained winner was Jenny Pitman's Master Tribe in 1997 and there are four UK entries his time round.

John Quinn is responsible for three - Fisher (11st 1lb), Forced Family Fun (10st 9lb) and Kashmir Peak (10st 8lb).

Nicky Henderson has entered Snake Eyes (10st 5lb), the early favourite at 8-1.