Eustace plans on hold

Plans for Hardy Eustace have been put on hold while connections try to discover why the dual Champion Hurdle hero has run below expectations on his last two starts.

The 12-year-old faded into fifth place behind Brave Inca in the Toshiba Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday, four weeks after finishing next to last in the December Festival Hurdle over the same course and distance.