Hardy Eustace advertised his Champion Hurdle claims when justifying odds of 1/6 with a facile win in the featured Red Mills Trial Hurdle at a windy Gowran Park on Saturday.
The reigning 'Champion' was recording his first victory this term having narrowly lost out last time in a three-way photo for the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, and dominated in the straight under Conor O'Dwyer to beat L'Antartique by 25 lengths.
'It was a real trial as Ansar went a good gallop. My fellow jumped brilliant, and I kept him up to his work. You couldn't have asked him to do much more,' said a delighted O'Dwyer, while trainer Dessie Hughes was equally pleased with the performance. 'I've said all along this season that he's better than he was last year. He did everything right today, jumped well and moved well, and I hope everything stays right between now and Cheltenham.'
'We'll put the blinkers back on at Cheltenham. He didn't wear them today as I didn't think he needed them,' added Hughes. Bookmakers have generally left his Smurfit Champion Hurdle price unchanged, with Cashmans and Boylesports both making him 6/1 third favourite.
Rathgar Beau recorded his fourth Grade 2 victory of the season when readily landing the Red Mills Chase under regular partner Shay Barry. The Dusty Sheehy-trained gelding jumped to the front after two out and, under a tight rein, cruised clear on the run-in to beat Barrow Drive by nine lengths.
'He probably got there a bit too soon but you'd have to be happy with that. Hopefully everything will go right between now and Cheltenham. I still don't know whether we will go for the Queen Mother or the Daily Telegraph, although Shay is adamant that we go for the Queen Mother,' said Sheehy.
Cashmans go a top-priced 33/1 about Rathgar Beau for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, while Boylesports quote him at 12/1 for the Daily Telegraph Chase.
Henry de Bromhead may be tempted by a trip to the Cheltenham Festival with Skyhawk, who took the four-year-old maiden hurdle in fine style. Denis O'Regan's mount drew clear under pressure from two to beat Slightly Shifty by seven lengths, and the Tramore trainer could aim him at either the Triumph Hurdle or the new four-year-old handicap.
John Oliver opened his account over fences with an effortless success in the Thomastown Garage Ltd Toyota Main Dealers Beginners Chase. The seven-year-old grey led five out, and drew clear after two out for a very easy nine lengths verdict over Hit The Net.
Jack Ingham, a full-brother to the ill-fated Nick Dundee, was all the rage in the bumper but the 4/6 favourite dropped out quickly in the straight to finish a well-beaten fourth as fellow newcomer Firth Of Forth stayed on to beat Some Touch by six lengths.
Cadogan showed the benefit of his debut bumper outing at Down Royal's Christmas meeting when leading before two out under Robert Power for a convincing length and a half win in the five-year-old maiden hurdle.
Slyguff Rory survived a blunder two out and a stewards enquiry into possible interference when touching off Santa's Son by a head in the Thomas M Byrne & Sons Auctioneers Handicap Hurdle.
Alan Magee
