Eustace Heads Classy Gowran Field

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.

Macs Joy, who finished runner-up on that occasion, is another possible for the two-mile event at the weekend.

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.

After an interrupted preparation, Mullins is just hoping for a prominent showing from his mare.

'Everything is fine with her at the moment but obviously she hasn't been quite right so far this season otherwise she would have been out before now,' said Mullins. 'She's just had a few little niggles that we thought would clear up quicker than they did.

'She showed good form in the spring last year though and I'd imagine the spring will bring on her on a bit again with a bit of luck.

'The intention is to run her on Saturday, we do have another option on Sunday, but we want to run her Saturday and then if everything goes to plan the next stop would be Cheltenham.

'We won't be disappointed if she gets beat, I don't expect her to beat Hardy Eustace and Macs Joy but she just has to have a run. As long as she shows us she is well, I'll be happy.

'If she did happen to run a big race we would consider the Champion Hurdle and that's why we gave her the entry just in case, but at the minute the plan is still the (Ladbrokes) World Hurdle.

'She has an important bit of work on Tuesday and if that goes well she will be heading to Gowran.'

'As it stands Macs Joy will run,' confirmed his trainer Jessica Harrington. 'It looks a good race, but he seems to be well.

'He ran very well at Leopardstown and he should come on for that. He did his best work towards the end of that race, which was pleasing.'

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.'

? PA Sport