Top hurdlers eyeing Gowran run

Racing:  Asian Maze, Harchibald, Hardy Eustace and Macs Joy could clash at Gowran Park on Saturday in a high-class renewal of…

Racing: Asian Maze, Harchibald, Hardy Eustace and Macs Joy could clash at Gowran Park on Saturday in a high-class renewal of the Red Mills Trial Hurdle.

All four hurdlers have had the contest mooted by connections as their final prep for the Champion Hurdle.

Hardy Eustace and Macs Joy won the previous two runnings of the race and were last seen in action in a thrilling renewal of the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle when Dessie Hughes' charge came out on top - with Jessica Harrington's star making a pleasing seasonal reappearance in third.

Asian Maze ran on from the rear to finish sixth that day but trainer Tom Mullins was pleased with the run and expects her to be more competitive on her next start.

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Noel Meade's Harchibald has not been seen since October, when he was turned over at odds-on in testing ground, and could be accompanied by stablemate Jazz Messenger.

Champion Chase hero Newmill, a faller on his first start over fences this season, could revert to hurdles - but holds an alternative entry in the Red Mills Chase on the same card.

The Grade Two contest has received four other entries in Adamant Approach, Conna Castle, Mansony and Charles Byrnes' Laetitia, who has not raced since November 2005.