Support for Hardy Eustace

/ Editor / 05 February 2007 / Leave a Comment

Hardy Eustace has been well supported in the Betfair Ante Post market for the Champion Hurdle
at the Cheltenham Festival, following trainer Dessie Hughes' comments that he is 'raring to take
on favourite Detroit City'.

The Philips Hobbs trained Detroit City produced a gutsy display to repel the challenge of fellow
festival hopeful Straw Bear to land Sandown's Agfa UK Hurdle on Saturday, thus maintaining
his position as market leader to lift the hurdling crown in March.

However, it appears that connections of Hardy Eustace were less than impressed with the
performance of the five-year-old at the Esher track, with Hughes confident that his charge
can reverse previous Cheltenham form.

Many have agreed with the comments of Hughes and have now backed Hardy Eustace in to 6.0
(from 6.6) to claim another Irish success at the festival next month, whilst reigning champion
Brave Inca can also be backed at 6.0.

However, Colm Murphy, trainer of Brave Inca, has confirmed there is an amount of uncertainty
as to who will ride his hurdling star.

Tony McCoy, who guided the horse to Cheltenham success last year and Murphy's first choice,
will be wanted by retainer JP McManus, whose Straw Bear will run at Cheltenham following his
gallant second to Detroit City.

Ruby Walsh has been mooted as a possible replacement, although he is sure to be wanted by
Paul Nicholls who trains Desert Quest. Despite Murphy's less than optimistic hopes regarding
a jockey, Brave Inca remains well supported in the markets.