Hughes hopes Hardy switch pays off

Dessie Hughes hopes his decision to re-route Hardy Eustace to the Ladbrokes World Hurdle can pay off tomorrow.

The 11-year-old is a dual winner of the Champion Hurdle but Hughes opted to sidestep Tuesday´s two-mile feature in favour of stepping up to three miles.

Hardy Eustace has only tackled this sort of trip once before when finishing second to Lough Derg in Ascot´s Long Walk Hurdle.

But Hughes retains every hope of his veteran returning to the Cheltenham winner´s enclosure.

"It was not a difficult decision to run Hardy Eustace in this race and I´d half decided to go for it at the start of the season," he said.

"He seemed to get two-miles-three at Ascot and he would have had to force the pace in the Champion Hurdle, which he wouldn´t enjoy.

"He´ll get a nice lead over three so we should be thereabouts."

Aitmatov faces a step into the unknown as he tries the staying trip for the first time.

The seven-year-old finished second behind Kazal over two miles and five furlongs last time and trainer Noel Meade admits he is taking a shot in the dark.

He said: "He´s in good shape and we have decided to take our chance. The World Hurdle is not as competitive (as the Champion).

"We don´t know if he´ll stay - he stays two and a half - but he has a lazy style of running and is a good jumper."

Alan King expects My Way De Solzen to put up a bold show.

The eight-year-old won the three-mile event in 2006 before making a successful switch to fences to land the Arkle last term.

However, his chasing career has not gone to plan since, with his steeplechasing days put on hold after lacklustre efforts at Haydock and in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

King put My Way De Solzen back over hurdles last time and he duly finished second to Lough Derg in the National Spirit at Fontwell, delighting his handler.

Stable jockey Robert Thornton has also given the horse his backing, opting to partner him rather than last year´s third Blazing Bailey, the mount of Ruby Walsh.

"Choc (Thornton) has decided to ride him," said King. "I think he´s coming back and I´m much happier with him now.

"The Fontwell race ought to have done him a lot of good. We´ll see what happens.

"Blazing Bailey finished third in the race before and should also run very well."