Eustace on the comeback trail

Dessie Hughes has given dual Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace the go-ahead to appear at Navan on Sunday.

Now approaching veteran status, Hardy Eustace, fourth in this year’s Champion, is set to step up in distance over the season, starting off with the two and a half miles Philips Electronics Lismullen Hurdle.

From there, he will head for back-to-back victories in the Coral Ascot Hurdle.

Hughes told At The Races: “He ran in the (Irish) Cesarewitch and that should have put him right. After this race we’d be hoping to go to Ascot in a fortnight’s time.”

Reflecting on the Ascot race last year, when he beat Mighty Man by 11 lengths, Hughes added: “He was impressive all right that day.

“He likes good ground and he was getting all the allowances that day – he was getting 8lb from some, which he won’t be this year.

“I think he’s as good as ever and he’s never lost his heart. He’s a very healthy, sound horse.”