Hardy Eustace has plenty going for him in AIG

HARDY EUSTACE, the highest rated and oldest horse in the contest, is the hopeful choice to land the Grade 1 AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown tomorrow.

A tough, rugged customer, Dessie Hughes’ charge has shown this season that it would be folly to regard him as any sort of back-number.

At Leopardstown at Christmas, on his less favoured inside track, Hardy Eustace was beaten a length into second spot by Al Eile.