The double champion hurdler Hardy Eustace was last night being quoted "with a run" for his intended Cheltenham prep at Gowran on Saturday but the bookmaker involved played down the significance of the move.

Sustained support for Macs Joy has now made Jessica Harrington's horse a 4 to 9 favourite for the Red Mills Trial and Cashmans go 5 to 2 "with a run" about Hardy Eustace.

However, the firm's spokesman said last night: "We have heard nothing good or bad about Hardy Eustace but we do want to lay the horse because we have a lopsided look to our book.

"There has been no money for anything else in the race except Macs Joy and because Hardy Eustace ran so badly in his last race we decided to try and encourage support for the second favourite by offering the "with a run" clause.

Cashmans bet: 4-9 Macs Joy, 4 Essex, 6 Asian Maze, 16 Escrea, Ground Ball, 33 Bar. 5-2 "with a run" Hardy Eustace.

Yesterday morning's cancellation of the steeplechase races results in a six-race card at Clonmel today where Conor O'Dwyer is entrusted with getting Vedelle back on song.

Tony McCoy rode the horse on New Year's Day when fourth but that was a first run since March and the JP McManus runner should strip sharper this time.

Alexander Buffet's defeat at the weekend showed that not all Willie Mullins's bumper newcomers are sure to contend and maybe it will be worth opposing Freds Benefit today with Johnnie Dillinger.

This one was third over the course and distance last time but raced on his own for much of the straight and could be worth siding with now.