Eustace proves a Hardy champion

RACING: Any suspicion of fluke about Hardy Eustace's Champion Hurdle victory at Cheltenhan completely disappeared when the Dessie Hughes-trained star picked up the Punchestown version in style yesterday.

As Conor O'Dwyer guided the winner a length clear of his old rival Rooster Booster in the Emo Oil Champion Hurdle there remained no doubt about Hardy Eustace being the outstanding two miler of the season.

Afterwards Hughes and O'Dwyer had the look of vindicated men because enough doubt had existed beforehand to see Rooster Booster installed a firm 13 to 8 favourite.

But while the English raider travelled better at almost every other stage of the race, Hardy Eustace was in charge when it really counted after a display that typified his toughness.

"He's well named because he is very hardy," said O'Dwyer who had been forced to give his mount a couple of reminders just after half way. At that stage Solerina and Hasty Prince were making sure Hardy Eustace wasn't having the same sort of solo in front that he enjoyed at Cheltenham. But O'Dwyer was not concerned.

"He was idling a bit so I had to wake him up," he said. "He was the underdog at Cheltenham but he had a big reputation today and it's brilliant to see him win."

Hughes immediately nominated a return to Cheltenham next year and Paddy Power make Hardy Eustace a 6 to 1 favourite to retain his crown.

"Conor gave him a great ride because rushing him up to join Solerina was just what he needed. He loves a battle," Hughes said. "He wasn't under pressure, he's just lazy. That's why he has the blinkers on."

Philip Hobbs didn't hesitate to commit Rooster Booster to another Champion Hurdle clash with the Irish horse despite the grey finishing runner-up for the fourth time in a row this season.

"The winner is just very good. The race was run to suit us and I thought we had it won on the last bend," he said.

"There were five lengths between us at Cheltenham but only one today."

If Willie Mullins's hunch is correct then both horses will have Sadlers Wings to contend with in next year's Champion Hurdle. After Sadlers Wings justified odds-on favouritism in the Menolly Champion Novice the trainer ruled out a return to the flat.

"We will set our stall out for the Champion Hurdle. He stays, jumps well enough and seems to have plenty of gears.

"He's disappointed me so much on the flat but he seems to like this. He would probably like a little more ease in the ground because he didn't let himself down as well as he can," Mullins said.

Liscannor Lad made it a memorable day for the Dessie Hughes camp when outpointing Ride The Storm by a length and a half in the €90,000 novice handicap chase.

Hughes nominated the Galway Plate as the winner's summer target and added: "He got handicapped almost by accident because he kept being unlucky in races. But he was well in today. He would have met these at levels in a novice."

There was sadness, however, as the Henrietta Knight-trained favourite Rosslea broke a shoulder at the ninth and had to be put down.