Hardy Eustace’s return delayed

HARDY EUSTACE, current favourite in most lists for the Champion Hurdle, will miss his planned comeback at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Dessie Hughes intended to start the seven-year-old in the Grade One Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, but he failed to scope clean yesterday morning.

“He’s got mucus in his throat,” reported Hughes. “He worked this morning and then we scoped him. He wasn’t bad, but not one hundred per cent.’’