Champion Hurdle Day 1 Highlight
Hardy Eustace returns to Cheltenham, a track he loves for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle with an unbeaten Festival record. When Dessie Hughes' charge fought off Rooster Booster strides after the final hurdle last year it dispelled the theory he was a staying hurdler of the future. Now we know he has the gears to eclipse the best.Jockey Connor O'Dwyer is in relaxed mood and under no pressure tactically."If there's a strong pace we can sit in. If there is no pace like last year, we can go on. It's a huge asset to have that you are not kept to riding the one way," he admitted."It's great to be able to go to the start and see where the pace is going to be."It doesn't look as if there will be a confirmed front-runner in there, so I guess if we have to go on there's no problem doing that."Despite a powerful Irish challenge that also includes Back In Front, Harchibald, Macs Joy and Brave Inca, O'Dwyer believes the main British hope Rooster Booster, the winner two years ago, must not be underestimated.The jockey added: "There are a lot of pretenders I suppose, but you can't rule out Rooster Booster. He's good round Cheltenham and Dessie Hughes has said he's the one he fears most. He's sure to be there or thereabouts."Hardy Eustace delighted O'Dwyer in a gallop after racing at Leopardstown recently, the final part of his preparation."We were very pleased with him. The ground was very testing and tacky so he's done a nice bit of work with Central House, who's not a bad work horse," he added."We gave him a nice squeeze up over the last few furlongs and we are delighted with him."Dessie has been aiming him for the one day. He's been coming along all season. He's been travelling better in his races this year, which is a huge help."Tony McCoy, who has picked up the spare ride aboard Essex, is in no doubt that the reigning champion is the horse to beat."I was very happy with Essex when I schooled him the other morning. He's in good form. He's been well placed to win two handicaps this year and seems to be improving,""There's no doubt Hardy Eustace is still the one to beat but hopefully Essex is going the right way."So is Harchibald who has yet to come off the bridle this term. He was favourite to claim the crown too until a lifeless piece of work last weekend sounded the alarm bells.Trainer Noel Meade stayed calm and his horse healthy. They are ready to go to war, especially after a pleasing piece of work at Prestbury Park on Sunday.Meade's travelling head lad Andy Lynch, supervising the care of the stable star over the weekend, is certainly giving out the right signs"We're delighted with him. We sent him over on Saturday instead of Monday because he was in such good form, and we can get him relaxed."Of the poor performance at Navan, where Harchibald trailed in behind three of the the stable's other Festival contenders, he added: "I'd say if it was a race, he wouldn't have run him."It was a gluepot. At Navan, you need a two-and-a-half-mile horse for that type of ground. Other than that you'd be over the moon with him. Nothing can compare with him. He's got a lot of gears and he's had two wins over here."Harchibald was well beaten in the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle at Cheltenham last year, when he led going well after the second-last but was caught on the long run to the final flight and finished fifth.He has been ridden with restraint by Paul Carberry this season, culminating in a one-and-a-half-length victory over the front-running Rooster Booster in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.Lynch went on: "Paul rode him in the County Hurdle last year and it was suicide what he did with him. It was the only time I heard Noel giving out to him."Just as long as he doesn't leave it too late this time!"However Richard Johnson, rider of Rooster Booster, has not given up hope of reversing Kempton form with Harchibald on Tuesday."My horse hasn't had a race run to suit him all season and at Kempton, which isn't his ideal track, Harchibald definitely had to work to get to him," he said."He won comfortably in the last 10 strides or so but on that form he can't be that far away from the rest of the Irish horses. I think most days 7lb separates them all. I just hope Rooster Booster runs well."Another leading Irish contender Accordion Etoile pleased trainer Paul Nolan when having a light spin at Cheltenham on Sunday morning.The handler expressed his delight at the way his charge, a course winner earlier in the season, has settled in since his arrival on Saturda.Nolan said: "It's very reassuring when your horses travel and then settle in as well as he has and I'm looking forward to the race."In fact, I wish it was today."With a revitalised Back In Front and a progressive Macs Joy to add to the Irish team it would be a major surprise if hurdling's blue riband wasn't heading back to the Emerald Isle again - but with which horse? It is some dilemma facing punters as the week we crave all year finally arrives. The 2005 Cheltenham Festival could not have a better launchpad.
Other Cheltenham Festival News
Following on from last year, we are delighted to announce that we are featuring horse racing tips from Channel Four Racing presenter, Tom Lee.
