Hurricane Fly, left, and Jezki© Photo Healy Racing
Racegoers at Punchestown next week look set for a treat with Jezki and Hurricane Fly set to clash over three miles in the Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle.
The pair have had countless battles over two miles in the last two seasons but both were put in their place by Faugheen in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
With Willie Mullins' unbeaten star staying over two miles, his vanquished rivals are to step up in trip, with Jezki already having won at Liverpool over two and a half miles.
"As of this morning the plan is to go three miles in the World Hurdle on Thursday," said Jezki's trainer Jessica Harrington.
"Like all plans, it can all change.
"He won over two and a half at Aintree and he'd been well beaten by Faugheen at Cheltenham.
"He shouldn't have trouble with the trip, there's lots of stamina in the family, Jetson gets three miles well and there's no reason if he relaxes he shouldn't get it.
"It sounds like Hurricane Fly is going that way too so we'll probably be looking at his backside again - but hopefully not!"
Connections of Hurricane Fly are keen to step the record-breaking Grade One winner up in trip and Mullins admitted he has had the French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil in mind for him for some time, but has decided against it so far.
"There's a good chance (of running in the World Series Hurdle)," said Mullins.
"We've been discussing it the last few days at home.
"It is something the owners think they might go for. It's a real runner at the moment.
"Remember he won over two and a half miles on heavy ground as a four-year-old in France.
"We would think over the years that three miles wouldn't be any problem. It just depends on his temperament on the day. He can be keen if it's a slow-run race.
"I've been dying to go for the French Champion Hurdle for the last few years, but when you have a horse like that you try and mind him maybe a little bit more than the others.
"I think the trip is no problem and I'm seriously coming round to running him in this."
Among Hurricanes Fly and Jezki's likely rivals is Lieutenant Colonel, winner of the Hatton's Grace and Christmas Hurdle this term.
However, the Sandra Hughes-trained six-year-old is on a retrieval mission after being well beaten in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.
"Lieutenant Colonel will hopefully run in the Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle," said Eddie O'Leary, racing manager for owners Gigginstown House Stud.
"We put cheekpieces on Lieutenant Colonel at Cheltenham and he was too free with those.
"We made a mistake doing that and he obviously won't wear them at Punchestown.
"Dedigout is also entered but he would only go there if the going was heavier than soft, he wouldn't go otherwise."
