Daryl Jacob excited to be reunited with Peace And Co

Daryl Jacob is relishing the prospect of being reunited with the unbeaten Peace And Co in Saturday's StanJames.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Jacob steered the Nicky Henderson-trained four-year-old to a stunning victory on his British debut at Doncaster on this weekend a year ago before Barry Geraghty took over in the saddle for victories at Cheltenham in January and in the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival in March.

Jacob gets back on board for the youngster's seasonal reappearance and reports him to be in good shape.

"I'm really looking forward to it. He was very good at Doncaster and his form after that was very strong, including winning the Triumph," said the jockey.

"He looks well. I sat on him and schooled him last week and you'd be hoping he'll step up again from last year, but we'll know a bit more after Saturday."

Peace And Co is currently rated Britain's best chance of winning this season's Champion Hurdle, with the market dominated by Willie Mullins' reigning champion Faugheen and stable companion Nichols Canyon, who came out on top when the pair clashed in last month's Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.

Jacob said: "Faugheen obviously got beaten the other day, but I think Nichols Canyon is a very good horse. His form is rock solid.

"The Irish look to have a very strong hand in the Champion Hurdle at the moment, so it would be great if this lad can go close and strengthen the English side of it."

With Geraghty now retained by owner JP McManus, he takes the ride on Hargam, who was third behind Peace And Co in a Henderson-dominated finish to the Triumph nine months ago.

The grey was a little disappointing when beaten into fourth at Cheltenham's October meeting and while Geraghty expects him to raise his game, he admits he faces a tough ask to beat his stablemate.

"I think with Hargam he'll be better for having had his first run of the year, but he obviously has a bit to find with Peace And Co, who looks the one to beat," said Geraghty.

"The less the rain the better for my horse and we live in hope."

Old Guard steps up in grade for Paul Nicholls after winning his last two starts at Prestbury Park, including last month's Greatwood Hurdle.

Nicholls said: "Old Guard is going to run in the International, even though it is a big step up in class.

"I want to let him take his chance and see where we are with him."

Mullins sends an interesting contender across the Irish Sea in the form of Sempre Medici.

The five-year-old has not been seen over jumps since finishing fourth behind Nichols Canyon at the Punchestown Festival in May, but did run well in a Curragh handicap on the level in June and Ruby Walsh travels over for the ride.

A small but select field is completed by Jeremy Scott's stable star Melodic Rendezvous and the Philip Hobbs-trained Cheltenian.