Jezki © Photo Healy Racing
Former Champion Hurdler Jezki is set to head Jessica Harrington's team for the 2017 Christmas Festival at Leopardstown.
The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old made a successful start to his campaign in the Istabraq Hurdle at Tipperary in October, but was no match for the brilliant Faugheen in last month's Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
Harrington is looking forward to stepping her charge back up to three miles in the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle on December 28.
She said: "Jezki will run in the three-mile Christmas Hurdle and if the ground is good he'll appreciate the step up to three miles again. That's the route we are planning on going with him now this season."
Harrington was speaking in front of the assembled media at a media morning at her yard on Monday to officially launch the top-class four-day fixture, which could yet feature her Gold Cup hero Sizing John.
Going through some of her other plans for the meeting, Harrington added: "Supasundae also goes for the three-mile race. I'm delighted with him and he was staying on well the last day in the Hatton's Grace. Better ground would suit him as well.
"Woodland Opera will run in the two-mile (Paddy's Rewards Club Chase) race against Douvan or whatever turns up there. He probably won't win it, but hopefully he can have a good run around and pick up some prize money.
"Forge Meadow will run in the two-and-a-half-mile mares' hurdle. She always works on her own at home and that works well for her. She is more relaxed that way. She's very highly strung and blew her mind at Cheltenham last year.
"Close Shave is entered in the Paddy Power Chase, Oscar Sam will run in the Pertemps Qualifier and Whisperinthebreeze and The Holy One are two we have for bumpers."
Asked to nominate some dark horses to follow for the season, Harrington named point-to-point winners Whisperinthebreeze and Another Barney and the unraced Polished Steel.
