Hardy Eustace retains Champion crown

Hardy Eustace landed back-to-back runnings of the Smurfit Champion Hurdle in a thrilling renewal of the showpiece event at Cheltenham today.

The Dessie Hughes-trained eight-year-old led from the start but Harchibald was still on the bridle after the last and the writing looked on the wall.

But Paul Carberry’s mount just did not pick up when asked and Conor O’Dwyer and Hardy Eustace hung on for a narrow – and improbable – success by a neck.

Brave Inca made it a one-two-three for the Irish raiders, a further neck away.

An unconsidered 33-1 chance when he won 12 months ago, Hardy Eustace was sent off the 7-2 favourite and dictated matters from the off, with Essex and Brave Inca also prominent.

Carberry was happy to sit towards the rear of the field on Harchibald and made effortless progress to take close order turning for home.

With severe doubts about his ability to come up the famous hill, the rider opted to wait as long as possible and it was only yards from the line that he decided he dare ask him to go on.

Harchibald couldn’t do it, however, as the champion dug deepest of all for a memorable success.

O'Dwyer told Channel 4: ``I pinged the last and wasn't sure whether Paul's horse was going to pick up - I just wanted to get to the line.

“I can’t describe it, I really can’t.”

Cheltenham 3.15 Result

1 Hardy Eustace (C O’Dwyer) 7-2 Jt Fav

2 Harchibald (P Carberry) 7-1

3 Brave Inca (B M Cash) 10-1