Hughes hopeful for Hardy run

Dessie Hughes believes that Hardy Eustace has a “good chance of turning Solerina over” in the Bewleys Hotels December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown tomorrow.

Last season’s Champion Hurdle hero was beaten two and a half lengths by the Bowe family’s mare over two and a half miles at Navan earlier this month, but that was his first race for almost eight months.

“He’s in good order. It was a good run at Navan to just put him right for tomorrow,” said Hughes.

“It looks like Solerina may be the hardest to beat but we have a good chance to turn her over this time.”

Hardy Eustace did not wear blinkers at Navan but has the headgear back on as he drops back to two miles.

“I’ve put the blinkers back on him because two miles is a bit sharp for him. He’s really a two-and-a-half-mile horse. The blinkers might sharpen him up a bit,” added the Kildare trainer.

The six horses declared for the Grade One contest also include this year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Brave Inca and Jessica Harrington’s Macs Joy, who was a close third to Harchibald at Punchestown last month.

Bewleys Hotels December Festival Hurdle, Paddy Power bet: 2-1 Hardy Eustace, 5-2 Solerina, 4-1 Macs Joy, 5-1 Brave Inca, 8-1 Al Eile, 16-1 Georges Girl.