2014 Morgiana Hurdle Betting Preview PT 1

While most eyes are focused on the ante post market for the upcoming Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase, the weekend’s big Grade 1 contest is actually the Morgiana Hurdle which is happening at Punchestown at 2:15 on Saturday. You’ll find a wide selection of some of the most accomplished hurdlers from across the various English and Irish circuits set to battle it out for an early season statement. 

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It looks to be nearly dead-even between the two betting favourites as Hurricane Fly is getting just the slimmest of edges in the early wagering after most bookmakers debuted their early price as evens for both. 

At the time of this writing, Hurricane Fly is trading at 4/5 to get the victory here against Jezki, and that means we’re likely set for a fascinating rematch of both the Racing Post Champion Trophy which ran at last year’ Punchestown Festival and the Champion Hurdle from Cheltenham. Both times, Jezki was able to get the better of the Fly on the day and that means there is all to play for here. 

Of the two, Hurricane Fly is doubtlessly the most respected one, but Jezki has simply shown the ability to get the better of him and that’s why he’s commanding so much respect in this contest as the ante post market heats up prior to the late declaration stage. It’s going to be very interesting to see how the odds move around prior to the fixture. 

Last year, Hurricane Fly ran three times prior to two festival runs - both of which proved to be unsuccessful and both came, ironically enough, to the likes of Jezki. He got the better of the match-up when they raced at Leopardstown shortly after Christmas and the Fly was also victorious in the seasonal debut at Punchestown. 

Jezki started his season off nicely, taking a Grade 2 at Down Royal and then getting the better of Zaidpour to nail the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse. He lost both aforementioned races to Hurricane Fly and was then able to get the better of him when it counts - in both festival races.