Cheltenham Festival memories can last a lifetime - just ask one long-suffering Harchibald backer

The recent death of Hardy Eustace brought a smile to my face. Rest assured, this was not in any way due to the loss of the great horse, whose performances alongside the likes of Macs Joy and Brave Inca (my favourite of the three) during that brilliant era of Irish hurdlers are etched in my memory, but because of the opportunity it presented.

Hardy Eustace’s most famous victory was arguably his second Champion Hurdle in 2005. This was not only due to the wonderful constitution and determination he showed but also the manner in which he triumphed over Harchibald.

Even now, I cannot believe Harchibald did not win and Paul Carberry waited quite that long before asking for an effort. It is, for me, one of the Cheltenham Festival’s most iconic finishes.