HARDY EUSTACE and Sizing Europe have emerged unscathed from their Grade One clash at Punchestown on Sunday and could end up meeting again at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Dessie Hughes reported yesterday that the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse might come too soon for Hardy Eustace and the star veteran may wait instead for a Christmas date at Leopardstown. "He's fine and we'll consider the Hatton's Grace, but it is only a fortnight after his first run," he said.

Sizing Europe's trainer, Henry De Bromhead, could wait even longer for a next appearance by his stable star and run in January's AIG which he won in spectacular style last season. De Bromhead also reported yesterday that he may have got the tactical battle wrong in Sunday's Maplewood Developments Hurdle where his charge was overhauled close to home.

"I told Andrew (McNamara) to make plenty of use of him and in hindsight I possibly regret that. It looked like he got tired in the closing stages. On heavy ground, on his first run back, maybe we should have waited," he said.

"But there were a lot of positives. I thought it was a great run back, his jumping was a lot better, and nothing went wrong with his back," De Bromhead added, "We are in two minds whether to go to Leopardstown at Christmas or whether to wait for the AIG. We will see how he is over the next few weeks." Sizing Europe is a general 7 to 1 shot for the Champion Hurdle.

• Yesterday's meeting at Limerick was abandoned due to waterlogging.