Review PUNCHESTOWN 31ST DEC

The Champion's return went smoothly at Punchestown on Saturday as Hardy Eustace claimed the Happy New Year Hurdle with the minimum of fuss.

Only two lined up against the dual Champion Hurdler, who was sent off a 1/8 shot. Dessie Hughes' star bounced out in front at a leisurely pace and was only headed briefly by outsider Tawrific Laois around half-way.

An injection of pace had his rivals struggling turning into the straight. Native Upmanship, as expected, chased him home - but never looked like getting on terms.

Conor O'Dwyer only had to change his hands after the last to urge his mount to keep up the gallop and he was a cheeky length winner at the line.

'I'm very happy with that. He looks strong and always carries plenty of weight. He jumped well and Conor was very happy with him. We'll keep him at it now until the AIG,' said winning trainer Dessie Hughes.

Mister Hight stamped himself as a leading contender for the Triumph Hurdle with an impressive debut over timber in the Celebrate New Years Eve At Punchestown 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.

Willie Mullins' gelding, a decent sort on the Flat, was sent off the 4/6 favourite.

Ruby Walsh moved smoothly into contention, before the last, and the pair were left to come home clear as Noble Concorde crashed out at the final flight.

'I am delighted with that and Ruby was happy at all times. The horse is much better on soft ground and I am hoping he'll improve from the run here,' said Mullins.

'The aim would be Cheltenham and we might run him next in a race at Leopardstown at the beginning of February.'

Cashmans make the winner 8/1 joint favourite, with Afsoun, for the Cheltenham showpiece.

Mullins and Walsh had been narrowly denied in the opening Visit The Panoramic Restaurant Beginners Chase as 7/4f Center Field was grabbed close home by 33/1 shot Hazelhall Princess.

Shifting Alliance (11/8f) was a warm order in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle and didn't let supporters down.

Robbie Moran sent the gelding to the lead at the second last and kept him going to repel the challenge of Saipan by two lengths.

Paul Carberry gave up his three mounts to recover from a stiff neck, suffered when falling from Church Island at Leopardstown earlier in the week.

Bobby Molloy proved a more than able deputy when giving Ballintra Boy a superb ride in the Buy Your Tickets On Line At www.punchestown.com Handicap Hurdle.

Noel Meade's gelding had looked held from the second last but Molloy conjured a late dash from his mount and got him up on the run-in to beat The Bar Maid by a length-and-a-half from.

Laureldean, successfully switched to hurdles last time, made a winning handicap debut over fences when running out a good winner of the Buy Your Punchestown Annual Membership For 2006 Handicap Chase.

Chomba Womba kept on strongly in the closing stages to land the bumper for Mags Mullins and Paul Cashman.