Hardy in Champion condition

Dual Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace has emerged in supreme shape after his successful pipe-opener in the Happy New Year Hurdle at Punchestown.

Although the gelding had no more than a routine workout against two rivals rated vastly inferior, he still won as a 1-8 favourite would be expected to, beating veteran chaser Native Upmanship by a length without coming off the bridle.

It was Hardy Eustace’s first outing since his second Champion Hurdle victory last March and Hughes will now set him a much stiffer task in the AIG-sponsored Irish Champion at Leopardstown on January 29.

“He’s fabulous,” said the County Kildare trainer.

“He didn’t have much of a race, so he must be reasonably straight. He’s a big horse and we will just keep him going now.

“He will have a couple of serious bits of work before the AIG, which will be a much tougher race.

“But he’s come out of the race well and we are very happy with him.”

Hardy Eustace’s odds for retaining his crown at Cheltenham remained largely unchanged and he is a general 6-1 shot to complete the hat-trick.