PUNCHESTOWN 17:30

Non Runners: DEDIGOUT (IRE). Hurdles: 13.

Time: 5m 52.1s Closing Sectional: (4.3f): 60s (105.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 121%, Betfair SP 101.8%

A fascinating renewal of this Grade 1, featuring 2 previous winners of the Champion Hurdle, both of whom were trying this trip for the first time, and they duly fought out the finish, Jezki getting the better of the argument on this occasion to follow in the footsteps of his half-brother, Jetson, who took this prize last year; it was run at a fair pace.

JEZKI (IRE) seems to come good at this time of year and belied any fears about the longer trip to win at this meeting for the third successive year, turning around form from earlier in the season with Hurricane Fly in the process, not needing to improve upon a somewhat fortuitous win at Aintree to claim his eighth victory at this level; held up, travelled strongly, produced to lead approaching last, driven out; beaten on all 4 starts at around 2m since successful in the Champion Hurdle here last year, including when no match for Faugheen at Cheltenham, it seems likely that he will be kept to this sort of trip.

HURRICANE FLY (IRE) has enjoyed another highly productive campaign and lost little in defeat on his first try at further than 2½m, lack of stamina not to blame, keeping on in typically game fashion but just unable to reel in his old adversary Jezki; mid-division, lost place early final circuit, headway 3 out, ridden next, stuck to task; a wonderfully tough and consistent performer, he is likely to take plenty of beating if sent for the French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil, but it remains to be seen if that will be his swansong.

ZABANA (IRE) coped well with the step up in grade, fully confirming the improvement shown in the Coral Cup last time; chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, stayed on without threatening the first 2; a rangy sort, he looks the type to do well over fences next season should connections opt to go down that route.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL without the headgear this time, settled and ran better than in the World Hurdle but appears to have reached his limit in this sphere; prominent, ridden after 3 out, faded straight; a return to chasing is on the cards and is open to improvement over the larger obstacles.

TTEBBOB (IRE) back up in trip, faced a stiff task in this grade and ran as well as he was entitled to; patiently ridden, headway before 2 out, kept on, never landed a blow; this won't have done his handicap mark any favours and he's likely to be given a try over fences sooner rather than later.

JETSON (IRE) who won this race last year, went very freely to post, which possibly explained his tame finishing effort, but this was still a step back in the right direction after a dismal effort at Aintree; mid-division, led 2 out, headed approaching last, weakened.

THOUSAND STARS (FR) failed to come on for recent run, seemingly not the force of old; disputed lead, headed before 3 out, no extra.

ZAIDPOUR (FR) ran one of lesser races; disputed lead, pushed along after 4 out, weakened next.

CAPTAINOFTHEFLEET (IRE) ran about as well as could have been expected upped in grade; held up, plugged on straight, never a threat.

LOTS OF MEMORIES (IRE) back over hurdles, was out of depth; chased leaders, driven 4 out, no further impression.

I SHOT THE SHERIFF (IRE) needed to find plenty of improvement in this company but ran no sort of race anyway, clearly not 100% on the day; held up, mistake fourth, tailed off 4 out.