Hardy Eustace can confirm Champion form

HARDY EUSTACE is fancied to confirm Cheltenham form with Rooster Booster in this afternoon’s Emo Oil Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.

Dessie Hughes’ seven-year-old travelled to Prestbury Park largely unsung and went off a 33-1 chance to land the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

But, galvanised by the fitting of blinkers for the first time, the selection stepped way up on anything he had achieved previously.