Hughes mulls Hardy options
The gallant 11-year-old was put in his place by Sizing Europe in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown last month and Hughes believes Henry De Bromhead’s charge is the main stumbling block to his veteran regaining his crown in the Smurfit Kappa-sponsored showpiece.
“He couldn’t be better, he’s in great form. He’s come out of the AIG first class,” said the Kildare trainer.
“I have thought about it (Champion) but I’ll have to see what lines up. It’s nice to have the two options.
“We’ll see how Henry De Bromhead’s horse is and if he arrives there.
“If he didn’t, we’d go back to the Champion where we know what he’s done before.
“If Sizing Europe did line-up, we’d more than likely switch and try our fella over the three miles.”
Hardy Eustace has appeared at the last five Cheltenham Festivals, winning the Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle in 2003 before going on to land the Champion Hurdle in 2004 and 2005.
He also finished third in 2006 and fourth last season.
Hardy Eustace has shown he has retained his ability this winter as well as displaying his versatility by running over distances ranging from two miles to three miles, one furlong.
“He hasn’t lost it yet. Maybe he’ll deteriorate after this year but he seems to be holding his own still,” added Hughes.
One who will definitely line-up in the Champion, barring accident, is the reigning champion Sublimity.
However, trainer John Carr has had a change of heart and the eight-year-old will now head to Prestbury Park without the aid of another run.
“He’s not going to go anywhere, he’s going to go straight to Cheltenham,” confirmed the County Kildare handler.
“We just thought it (another run) would have been a bit closer than ideal.
“We are going to keep taking him for gallops. He was at the Old Vic (the Curragh) last Friday and we are hoping to go to Dundalk next week.
“The race is a month tomorrow and we will take him away four times beforehand. There will be a racecourse gallop in there somewhere as well.
“It’s all about Sizing Europe now, which suits us down to the ground because the pressure is off me.
“Before the race last year everybody was saying what a good Champion Hurdle it was with Brave Inca, Hardy Eustace, Detroit City and Straw Bear – there was no word of us.
“When they all got beaten it was a bad Champion Hurdle so I don’t really care what people write, you have to make up your own mind.”
Sublimity is 9-2 joint second-favourite with Blue Square, who make Sizing Europe their 9-4 favourite.
“The news that Sublimity goes straight to Cheltenham comes as no surprise as he only had the one run last season before the Champion Hurdle,” said Blue Square spokesman George Primarolo.
“The current champion – along with Osana – looks the major threat to hot favourite Sizing Europe at the moment, but Henry De Bromhead’s star looks nailed on to go off favourite at the Festival.”
Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, Blue Square bet: 9-4 Sizing Europe, 9-2 Osana, Sublimity, 8-1 Harchibald, 10-1 Katchit, 20-1 Afsoun, Straw Bear, 25-1 Ebaziyan, Blythe Knight, Amaretto Rose, Silent Oscar, 33-1 bar.
