Champion Hardy the AIG hero
Hardy Eustace produced a power-packed display to fight off reigning champion Brave Inca in a hotly-contested renewal of the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The Dessie Hughes-trained 10-year-old made just about all the running in the two-mile Grade one event and refused to give way when strongly pressed throughout the final stages.
The 9-1 shot stuck to his guns in gritty style to see off 11-8 favourite Brave Inca by three lengths, with Macs Joy close behind in third.
