"He's a great spare ride to pick up. I suppose nobody ever thought Hurricane Fly would be a second string, but I'm delighted to get the ride on him and I can't wait," Townend told At The Races.
"I suppose being realistic he's up against it. He's an 8-1 shot for a reason, but saying that he's been there, he's done it and he's in the form of his life at home.
"I'm just hoping for a big run, he'll try his best and it would be nice to win a third Champion Hurdle.
"A lot of it is just natural ability, but it's his will to win as well. He has the heart of a lion and he can just run faster than the rest of them.
"If you see him in the morning you wouldn't think he was an 11-year-old.
"I don't think it (drying ground) would help him, but it shouldn't hinder him too much. If it did spill rain, we'd be delighted, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen."
The Jessica Harrington-trained Jezki has had a similar preparation to last year in that he has found Hurricane Fly too strong on home soil on each occasion, but the roles were comprehensively reversed at Cheltenham 12 months ago.
The JP McManus-owned runner enjoyed one final reportedly impressive piece of work ahead of his trip across the water, and Harrington is delighted with her stable star.
Speaking at Naas on Sunday, she said: "He did a nice bit of work the other day. I don't know who was looking at him working, but he pleased me. I wouldn't say any more than that."
Hurricane Fly, Jezki and Faugheen feature in a star-studded eight-strong field following the declaration stage.
Mullins also sad dles Arctic Fire, who has twice been defeated by Hurricane Fly this term. Danny Mullins, the trainer's nephew, has been booked for the ride.
The latter said: "He's definitely not making up the numbers. He's going there with a good chance.
"If you look at Jezki's profile before winning it last year, this lad has chased home (Hurricane) Fly a few times as well.
"It would be hard to say you'd fancy your chances of winning, but he could run a big race.
"He's working very well and we're there for a good time."
"I suppose being realistic he's up against it. He's an 8-1 shot for a reason, but saying that he's been there, he's done it and he's in the form of his life at home.
"I'm just hoping for a big run, he'll try his best and it would be nice to win a third Champion Hurdle.
"A lot of it is just natural ability, but it's his will to win as well. He has the heart of a lion and he can just run faster than the rest of them.
"If you see him in the morning you wouldn't think he was an 11-year-old.
"I don't think it (drying ground) would help him, but it shouldn't hinder him too much. If it did spill rain, we'd be delighted, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen."
The Jessica Harrington-trained Jezki has had a similar preparation to last year in that he has found Hurricane Fly too strong on home soil on each occasion, but the roles were comprehensively reversed at Cheltenham 12 months ago.
The JP McManus-owned runner enjoyed one final reportedly impressive piece of work ahead of his trip across the water, and Harrington is delighted with her stable star.
Speaking at Naas on Sunday, she said: "He did a nice bit of work the other day. I don't know who was looking at him working, but he pleased me. I wouldn't say any more than that."
Hurricane Fly, Jezki and Faugheen feature in a star-studded eight-strong field following the declaration stage.
Mullins also sad dles Arctic Fire, who has twice been defeated by Hurricane Fly this term. Danny Mullins, the trainer's nephew, has been booked for the ride.
The latter said: "He's definitely not making up the numbers. He's going there with a good chance.
"If you look at Jezki's profile before winning it last year, this lad has chased home (Hurricane) Fly a few times as well.
"It would be hard to say you'd fancy your chances of winning, but he could run a big race.
"He's working very well and we're there for a good time."
