Sunday Pricewise

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IF ANYTHING, Thursday's Christmas Hurdle made the Champion Hurdle picture even murkier, with My Tent Or Yours squeezing home from The New One, who might have won but for a mistake at the last. Today we have another three leading fancies for the big one in March clashing in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown (2.00), writes Tom Segal.

Hurricane Fly is the obvious place to start given he's won more Grade 1s than any horse in history and is the reigning champion hurdler.However, he was sluggish when regaining his crown at Cheltenham last season and again in the Morgiana on his reappearance last month. I still think he's nowhere near his best at Cheltenham and he would have needed his Punchestown run, so he is undoubtedly the one to beat, especially as he's won all six starts at Leopardstown - all in Grade 1 company.

Having said that, if Jezki and Our Conor turn up in peak form this will be one of the Fly's stiffest tests - last season's Champion Hurdle form is looking pretty weak and I can't remember the last time he had to take on two up-and-comers with the potential of this pair.

Of the two I have slight concerns about Our Conor as he hasn't jumped a hurdle in public since March, but Jezki should have no excuses because he has won twice this season and did well to land a weird race at Fairyhouse last time.

The key to Jezki's chance is a strong pace, which enables him to settle. He hasn't had that scenario since he won by a mile at last season's Punchestown Festival and if Captain Cee Bee is in the race to ensure there's no hanging around, Jezki is capable of springing a minor surprise. He's well worth backing at 10-3.

Rewatching last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle, I can't believe how I missed how well Jezki ran. He pulled hard, got messed around more than once and smashed into the last. Despite all that he was beaten less than three lengths in what was undoubtedly a strong renewal. There is much more to come from him and if he puts it all together he will give everything a good race, including Hurricane Fly.

The Topaz Novice Chase (3.05) could be as informative as the Ryanair Hurdle, because in Morning Assembly and Bright New Dawn we have two of the most promising novice chasers in Ireland. Both have done nothing wrong over fences and Morning Assembly in particular looks sure to be suited by stepping up to three miles for the first time since being switched to chasing.

Pat Fahy's gelding appeared destined for the top over fences when staying on really well to win the Grade 1 staying novice hurdle at the Punchestown Festival and he has done nothing to disprove that on his two chase starts. With his stable in really good form this week, he is going to be extremely hard to beat.

The problem is the price. I wouldn't want to back any horse in a Grade 1 novice chase with limited experience at around the 5-4 mark.
Bright New Dawn also looked good when winning his sole chase start, while the two who have been running with distinction in high-quality handicaps can't be ruled out either.

Carlingford Lough has had a tough time of things since winning the Galway Plate in July and I was disappointed he didn't see off Don Cossack after the last on his most recent start, so Mad Brian might be the more dangerous of the two.

Gillian Callaghan's gelding ran a cracker in the Troytown last month on only his third chase start and the softer ground will suit him. I'm just not sure he will have the necessary stamina to cope with Morning Assembly.

Today's bet
Jezki
2.00 Leopardstown
1pt win at 100-30 with Boylesports (3-1 generally)

CheltenhamJ

Value in Jezki ew at 9-1 for March , think it will contract today , only worry is no of runners from Jessie's , v quiet this Xmas

qc3

Sunday PWE

Rock a doodle doo 2.55 doncaster @10-1 Tom Segal