Eustace confirmed for Gowran

Hardy Eustace will run in the the two-mile Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park on Saturday after pleasing connections in his work this morning.

The Dessie Hughes-trained seven-year-old will be taking a drop back in trip after being beaten three-lengths by Crystal D’Ainay in the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Last year’s Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle winner had also been entered in a three-mile race at Navan on Sunday, but Hughes has confirmed his charge on-course for Gowran.

“We’ll run on Saturday in the two-miler and Conor O’Dwyer will ride,” said the Kildare-based handler.

“He went about a mile and a quarter on grass this morning and worked well.”

Hardy Eustace is entered in the both the Smurfit Champion Hurdle and the bonusprint.com Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham, with the shorter of the two races now the gelding’s target.

“He will run in the Champion,” added Hughes.

The trainer is also pleased with Central House ahead of his crack at the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy on March 16.

““He is still going to run in the Arkle and will be going straight there,” Hughes said. “I haven’t sorted a jockey out yet but I hope that Paul Carberry will ride him if he can.”