Willie Mullins is confident Hurricane Fly still has what it takes to make his mark at the top level ahead of his return in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday.
Having already racked up an astonishing 19 Grade One victories, Hurricane Fly will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest two-mile hurdlers of the modern era.
However, there were signs last spring that perhaps his advancing years were beginning to catch up with him as he managed only fourth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and was runner-up at the Punchestown Festival, with Jezki triumphant on both occasions.
With the score two-all, the star duo will again lock horns on their seasonal reappearance, with Mullins in no doubt the fire still burns brightly inside his dethroned champion, who has won the Morgiana for the last two years.
Mullins said: "We're looking forward to it. He's such a game horse and such a character that you try and respect that.
"Myself and the owners discussed whether we'd go racing with him this year, but I'm sure that he still has Grade One ability.
"Some people were wondering if he'd retire, but he's not an old horse by any means and he still has lots of ability. Until he shows us on the track that his heart is not in it, we keep going.
"I'm happy with him and he hasn't given us any bad day. We're just looking forward to a nice season ahead with him and hopefully he can recapture some of his best form."
With the big two featuring in a field of just five runners - Little King Robin, Lethal Weapon and King Of The Picts were also declared - the two-mile contest promises to be a tactical affair.
Jezki dominated from the front on their most recent meeting at Punchestown and Mullins will leave it up to big-race jockey Ruby Walsh to decide how he wants to play his hand.
"I think Ruby will be running that (tactics) though his mind. With only five runners, there's not a lot you can do, but Ruby will make up his own mind," said Mullins.
"We hear Jezki is better than ever - there's a lot of mind games going on - but our fellow is well and I think he's fitter than he was for this race last year.
"It's all to play for, it's a Grade One and we have to take each other on."
