Hardy set for step up in trip
Hardy Eustace is likely to run in the three-mile Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Champion Stayers’ Hurdle at Punchestown – rather than take on the crack two-milers in the ACCBank Champion Hurdle.
Dessie Hughes’ charge lost nothing in defeat after making most of the running before finishing fourth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
But as he is now a 10-year-old, Hughes believes the time has come to step him up in trip next time out.
“It’s very possible he will run in the three-miler,” said the County Kildare-based handler.
“We’ve been blazing him off in front over two miles for the last four years and I’m not saying he’s getting fed up of it, but I think running him over longer might be a bit easier for him.
“I was reasonably pleased with him at Cheltenham but I don’t think he ran right up to his mark to be reasonably honest.
“Conor (O’Dwyer) wasn’t happy with him. He said compared to Leopardstown he felt he had very little under him, I don’t know why.
“Maybe it was because he had already been to Cheltenham and Ascot this season and he ran to his peak in the AIG.
“He just might have had enough at Cheltenham,” Hughes told At The Races.
