Racing: Dual Smurfit Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace could face eight rivals if he lines up in the Grade Two Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran on Saturday.
Dessie Hughes’ nine-year-old will be out to atone for his no-show in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January when he trailed home last behind Brave Inca.
A third Cheltenham crown is the ultimate aim for Hardy Eustace, but that run at Leopardstown still baffles Hughes.
"Nothing has come to light for his run in AIG and it could have been the same reason Central House disappointed at Fairyhouse before he went and won at Punchestown. Hopefully it will be the same result (at the weekend)," he said.
"He seems fine at the moment though and he’s showing me all the right signs and this will be his last run before the Champion Hurdle. He’s in good form and this is the last real opportunity to get a run into him."
Macs Joy, who finished runner-up to Brave Inca in that Leopardstown race, is another possible for Saturday’s two-mile event.
The Tom Mullins-trained Asian Maze is set to make her eagerly-awaited return after she was last seen winning the Grade One Menolly Homes Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in April 2005.
Paul Nolan’s useful handicapper Escrea, Charlie Swan’s Ground Ball and Morgiana Hurdle second Essex could also feature. McGruders Cross, Sky’s The Limit and Tolpuddle complete the list at the five-day declaration stage.