Cleeve option for Eustace

Hardy Eustace may travel to Cheltenham on January 29 for the Cleeve Hurdle rather than remain in Ireland for the AIG Irish Champion Hurdle a week earlier.

Dessie Hughes is likely to give his charge the same programme as last term before he returns to Cheltenham again in March to defend his crown in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

Hughes told the Racing Post yesterday: “I will see what the ground is like before the AIG, but probably the best plan would be to go for the Cleeve Hurdle and then bring him back to two miles for the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park (on February 12).

The gelding was second to Crystal D’Ainay in last season’s Cleeve Hurdle, which is run over an extended two and a half miles and also finished runner-up in the Gowran contest before springing his 33-1 surprise in the Champion Hurdle.

Hardy Eustace was a disappointing third behind Macs Joy in the December Festival Hurdle on Wednesday, but his County Kildare handler blamed the defeat on the holding conditions.

“He was absolutely perfect this morning, and it’s worth remembering that he ran poor enough in the race last year,” he continued.

“I would say the reason was the ground. That is what Conor O’Dwyer said when he came in and the horse did not jump as well as he can.

“When horses don’t jump, the reason is usually the ground. It was gluey and they weren’t kicking up any sod.”