Hardy Eustace has another Champion Hurdle in his sights
For sheer quality you simply could not get a better race and it lived up to all the pre-match billing, as Hardy Eustace returned to the form which saw him win two Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham.
He dug deep, and then deeper again, to prove far too good for the gallant Brave Inca, with Macs Joy, on his seasonal debut, producing a remarkable display in third spot.
“He was brilliant”, exclaimed Conor O’Dwyer of Hardy Eustace. “They did everything to get him beaten, but he’s as good as ever.
“He jumped great, but a big help was that this was the best ground he has ever run on at Leopardstown.”
O’Dwyer, who will travel to Prestbury Park with high hopes - he has War Of Attrition in the Gold Cup as well - made his intentions clear from the start, taking Dessie Hughes’ ten-year-old into the lead.
Brave Inca was soon stalking him and there was never much between the pair. A mistake at the third last, however, was a major drawback for Brave Inca.
Tony McCoy soon had him rolling again, however, and Brave Inca was back challenging Hardy Eustace as they raced to the final flight. The pair were in the air together and we had to be forgiven for thinking that Brave Inca’s courage and refusal to accept defeat would immediately kick in.
It probably did, but in Hardy Eustace he was now facing an opponent right back at the top of his game.
O’Dwyer got down behind his charge and the response was awesome. Hardy Eustace roared away from Brave Inca and was an incredible three lengths to the good at the line.
“He should improve for this, although he often runs well when you think he might need the race”, reported Hughes.
“He has to have every chance now of winning another Champion Hurdle.”
Hardy Eustace was beaten a length by current Champion Hurdle favourite, Detriot City, at Cheltenham previously, but Hughes believes his gelding will reverse the placings come March.
Said Hughes: “I would be quietly confident, especially on better ground. Things didn’t go our way the last day.”
He is set on giving Hardy Eustace another outing before the Festival. “He will head to the Red Mills at Gowran Park (Feb.17). If he didn’t go there then you would only have to be working him.”
Colm Murphy took the defeat of Brave Inca graciously, as you would expect. Said Murphy: “He doesn’t like that ground, it was neither one thing or another!
“The mistake at the third last wasn’t a help, but we were beaten fair and square. It is six weeks to Cheltenham and we have plenty time to freshen him up.”
The horse to take out of this magnificent contest, however, may well be Macs Joy, making a belated start to the campaign, having been held up with a muscle problem. He travelled beautifully into the straight, looking a possibility for a few strides, but then the lack of an outing took its toll. Nevertheless, he kept going to finish a creditable third.
Commented trainer, Jessica Harrington: “I am delighted. I don’t know if he will run in the Red Mills, I don’t want to bottom him out.
“I have only one day in my mind and have never seen Barry (Geraghty) so enthusiastic after getting beaten on a horse.”
The baby of the race, the four-year-old Lounaos, ran a cracker to fill fourth spot, delighting Eoin Griffin.
“I expect the experience she has had today will stand to her when she goes to Cheltenham”, said Griffin.
“She will go directly to the Triumph Hurdle now.’ Ladbrokes make Detroit City their 5-2 favourite for the Champion Hurdle and go 4-1 Brave Inca and 5-1 Hardy Eustace, from 8’s. Macs Joy is a 10-1 shot.
Detroit City is 9-4 with William Hill and they eased Brave Inca to 4-1 from 100-30. It is 5-1 Hardy Eustace, from 10’s, and 8-1 Macs Joy.
Detroit City is 3-1 with both Cashmans and Paddy Power. Cashmans then go 4-1 Brave Inca and 6-1 Macs Joy and Hardy Eustace.
Lounaos is the 5-1 favourite, from 10-1, with Paddy Power for the Triumph Hurdle.
