Hardy Eustace became the third Irish-trained winner of the meeting when landing the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle, the opening race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.
The Dessie Hughes-trained gelding got the better of a thrilling battle with Coolnagorna and the favourite Pizarro to land the spoils under Kieran Kelly. However, following a stewards enquiry Coolnagorna was disqualified from second place for intentional interference, with Pizarro and Lord Sam promoted a place.
The Irish made it three winners on the day, and five for the meeting, when, following the success of Moscow Flyer, Tony Martin's Xenophon landed a gamble in the Coral Cup under Mick Fitzgerald.
The seven-year-old, who landed the valuable Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown in January, was travelling best on the on to the penultimate flight and, leading at the last, never looked in danger on the flat.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
