Hardy to work at Leopardstown

Dual Smurfit Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace will work after racing at Leopardstown next Sunday to complete his preparations for this year’s renewal of the race.

The nine-year-old missed an engagement at Gowran Park last weekend having disappointed when finishing last in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at the end of January.

“Hardy Eustace worked well during the week and I am happier with him now,” trainer Dessie Hughes told the Racing Post.

“The plan is to bring him to Leopardstown next Sunday when he will work after racing.”