Racing: Dual Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace will tackle the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham next week in preference to another crack at the Smurfit Kappa-sponsored two-miler.
Dessie Hughes had been weighing the merits of both races for some time but came to the decision after talking over the options with owner Laurence Byrne on Sunday.
"I discussed it with the owner yesterday after he did a bit of work after racing at Leopardstown and we decided we'd let him take his chance in the stayers' (World Hurdle)," Hughes explained. "The Champion looked another option at the time, but he can't be as quick as he used to be so this one should just suit him better."
Hardy Eustace will be chasing a fourth success at the Festival on Thursday week, having won the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle in 2003 before landing his first Champion the following season.
The 11-year-old chased home Lough Derg over three miles and one furlong at Ascot in December before finishing second to Al Eile and Sizing Europe on his last two outings.