Under-rated Kelly comes of age on Hardy Eustace

THE under-rated Kieran Kelly came of age at Cheltenham yesterday when partnering his first Festival winner aboard Dessie Hughes’ Hardy Eustace in the Royal and SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle.

Hardy Eustace had plenty to do approaching the second last, but responded gamely to Kelly’s considerable urgings and found plenty when the questions were popped.

Coolnagorna, subsequently disqualified for causing interference, was in front a long way out, but Hardy Eustace swept past off the home turn.