Punchestown Festival preview: World Series Hurdle (17.30)

Old rivals Hurricane Fly and Jezki dominate the betting for today’s World Series Hurdle at Punchestown (17.30), but the classy pair are both tackling 3m for the first time, so Lieutenant Colonel looks decent value to land the spoils.

Lieutenant Colonel is trained by Sandra Hughes and was a smart novice hurdler last season, finishing a 5 1/2 length runner-up to Vautour on his hurdling debut before running a highly creditable sixth of 15 to Faugheen in the Neptune at the Cheltenham Festival.

The gelding went on to land a Grade 2 contest at Fairyhouse in good style, and after finishing runner-up over fences on his first start this season went on to win back-to-back Grade 1 hurdle contests at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown.

This six-year-old beat Jetson on both occasions, and showed a good attitude on the last of those when scoring by 3/4 of a length on his first try at 3m.

That win suggested that Lieutenant Colonel could have even more to offer and, although not at his best last time out in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, he ran far too free in the first time cheekpieces and looks worth another chance with that headgear now discarded.

Hurricane Fly and Jezki are undoubtedly the class acts, but both are unproven at the trip.

The current head-to-head score between the pair is 6-2 in the Fly’s favour, and the Willie Mullins trained veteran is favourite to record a remarkable 23rd Grade 1 success.

Hurricane, now 11, has has looked as good as ever this season despite his advancing years, winning three Grade 1 contests before finishing a cracking third to stable companion Faugheen in the Champion Hurdle.