Several contenders for the Cheltenham Festival’s top hurdles races strutted their stuff at Leopardstown this weekend in the annual pre-festival run for horses heading to Prestbury Park. Amongst the runners was two times Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace, who was outperformed by Coral Cup contender Leg Spinner.

Hardy Eustace’s trainer Tony Martin has indicated that his charge may be pulled from the 2008 Champion Hurdle in favour of a run in the World Hurdle. This means Hardy Eustace becomes the third horse on the 2008 Champion Hurdle odds table to be listed as a doubtful starter.

Other warm-up runs this weekend saw the 2008 Champion Hurdle favourite Sizing Europe take his penultimate practice run over the Champion Hurdle distance, showing himself to be in good health and form. William Hill have Sizing Europe priced as clear favourite for the 2008 Champion Hurdle at 2/1.

Other news from the 2008 Champion Hurdle is that veteran jockey Tom Scudamore is set to take the saddle of frontrunner Osana for the festival’s biggest hurdle race. Priced at 11/2 by William Hill, Osana offers Scudamore a real chance to claim a major festival race in the wake of a promising win at the 2008 Red Square Vodka Gold Cup.