Cheltenham Festival 2014: Jezki wins Champion Hurdle, with Hurricane Fly in fourth

Jessica Harrington's charge got the better of My Tent Or Yours

Barry Geraghty riding Jezki win The Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham (GETTY IMAGES)

Jezki got the better of My Tent Or Yours to claim victory in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Jessica Harrington's charge travelled powerfully in the hands of Barry Geraghty and loomed large alongside dual winner Hurricane Fly rounding the home turn.

Tony McCoy's mount My Tent Or Yours, like Jezki carrying the colours of JP McManus, came to challenge Jezki after the final flight but the Irish raider dug deep to prevail by a neck.

The New One finished strongly to grab third spot, having been hampered by the fall of Our Conor early in the race.

Hurricane Fly had to settle for fourth.

There was a strong pace from the outset in the two-mile showpiece, with Captain Cee Bee challenged by Our Conor, just ahead of hat-trick seeking 11-4 favourite Hurricane Fly.

The decisive moment in the race was Our Conor's heavy fall at the third flight, severely compromising The New One's chance in the process.

Hurricane Fly travelled with his usual zest in the hands of Ruby Walsh and moved sweetly to the lead, but it was clear 9-1 shot Jezki had much more to give, sporting a hood for the first time.

Harrington's charge moved to the lead on the run to the final flight and jumped it well, but My Tent Or Yours emerged as a serious threat in the hands of McCoy.

The champion jockey threw everything at the Nicky Henderson-trained runner-up, but Jezki was not for passing.

Jezki had been ridden in his four previous starts this season by McCoy.

Geraghty, now unbeaten in five outings on Jezki, said: "He's a great little horse. He had good form and he didn't have a lot to find with the best of them. I don't think his price reflected his chance.

"It was also a great run by the runner-up. I'm sure JP (McManus) will be delighted with the first two home. The runner-up was getting to me, I needed the line.

"I've been riding winners for Jessie since I was 17 or 18. She's been great to me over the years with the likes of Moscow Flyer and it's great to do it again here for her."

Harrington said: "It's fantastic, it really is. It's great to be in this position.

"He's a great favourite of mine. He's a great horse and Barry has a great record on him.

"I always had great faith in the horse. He's a smashing horse, he really is.

"He relaxed well (in a first-time hood) and he got through the preliminaries, which was great.

"The horse battled terrifically well."

McManus said: "The National Hunt season centred around the Champion Hurdle for me because I didn't have any Gold Cup horses and I'm unlikely to win the Grand National.

"The Champion Hurdle was all-important and full marks to everybody - Nicky (Henderson), Jessie (Harrington) and Eddie (Harty) to have their horses looking in mint condition as well as all the other runners in the race. They were all a credit.

"It's a very special day."

PA