Emotions run high as HardyEustace springs a 33/1 shock
O’Dwyer’s thoughts, inevitably, had turned to the late Kieran Kelly, who was the regular parner of Hardy Eustace before surrendering to fearsome injuries as a result of a fall at Kilbeggan in August.
Indeed, Kelly rode the impressive seven-year-old to land the SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival a year ago.
No one will ever forget his smiling, boyish, face as he returned to a hero’s reception.
A couple of months later and he paid the ultimate price, giving his life for the game he loved.
There were hugely emotional scenes in the winner’s enclosure. This was a joyous occasion, but a very sad one as well. O’Dwyer was hugged and kissed everywhere he turned, as he proved once again that nice guys really can have their day in the sun. It was only the second time he had tasted success at the Cheltenham Festival. His previous victory coming, of course, aboard Fergie Sutherland’s Imperial Call in the Gold Cup of ‘96.
“This is a very emotional day”, said a clearly moved O’Dwyer. “When Rooster Booster came to me I thought I had a fight on my hands.
“But once over the last I was confident. I was riding a very tough, genuine horse. I went an even pace the whole way and had plenty in hand at the end.
“This is right upsides Imperial Call and more poignant because of the situation with Kieran.”
It was a brave decision on the part of Dessie Hughes to run his charge in the Champion Hurdle in the first place.
He appeared tossed into the Coral Cup on 11-0, but Hughes decided to go for broke and had his reward.
Hardy Eustace had only one chance and that was to make use of his undoubted stamina. O’Dwyer wasted no time, taking him straight into the lead.
We waited for him to wilt, for his so-called lack of speed to find him out, but it never happened.
While O’Dwyer was bowling along merrily in front, Richard Johnson was quite content to sit right out the back on heavily supported market leader, Rooster Booster.
Gradually, however, he worked the grey into the contest and the ten-year-old was cantering on the heels of the leaders heading to the home turn.
It looked a question of when Johnson said go. He tracked Hardy Eustace to the final flight and then joined issue as they rose to meet the obstacle.
The theory was that Rooster Booster would then quicken clear, but the reality was somewhat different.
It was Hardy Eustace who had the speed and stamina and he bounded up the hill to trounce his rival by five lengths.
It was, in the end, a disappointing effort by Rooster Booster and, perhaps, the hard race he had in the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury took the edge off him.
It was most interesting to note that Hardy Eustace has now travelled the same route as the great Istabraq. He too won the SunAlliance Novice’ Hurdle, prior to dropping down in distance to land three Champion Hurdles.
“I knew my horse had the pace, he’s brilliant”, said Dessie Hughes. “I was quietly confident before the race. I never had him better and he was working super.
“I decided to go for this race on Saturday night when I saw the Coral Cup entries. He had won three Grade Ones, so I wasn’t afraid of the opposition, well not too frightened.
“Unless something comes out of the SunAlliance, I think he will beat them all back here next year.
“I told Conor to make use of him, but not too much. He looked to be going so easily that I knew there was something in the tank. This is nearly as good as riding a winner.”
Kelly was also very much in Hughes’ mind. “This is great for all the people involved, but very sad because of Kieran”, said Hughes. “I think he must have influenced this.”
Hardy Eustace is owned by Laurence Byrne, who said: “I have known Dessie (Hughes) for 15 or 16 years, maybe more, after some mutual friends introduced us.
“One of them said to him that if he got a decent horse, I might be the sort of man who would get involved.
“All our thoughts at this time are with Kieran and his family. Kieran made Hardy Eustace and I think there were two jockeys out there, Conor was on the horse, but Kieran was guiding him.
“I am not a punter, but was looking at Betfair and saw he was on offer at 320-1. I had a tenner on him and then tiddled about a little more. I’ve got €62,000 to collect for what was only a fun bet. I am not a serious punter.”
Philip Hobbs made no excuses for the defeat of Rooster Booster. “Of course I am disappointed and, as the favourite, hoped he would win. Hardy Eustace is obviously a very good horse and, possibly, blinkers have sharpened him up and made the difference.
“I must admit I was worried as they came round the last bend, my horse just wasn’t good enough.”
