Nicholls expects to be in the hunt

Racing : Paul Nicholls launches a two-pronged assault on the Kerrygold Champion Chase, with Twist Magic and Natal lining up at Punchestown on Tuesday.

Twist Magic has struggled since making a huge impression winning the Tingle Creek Chase in December, while Natal tipped up last time in the Topham Chase at Aintree.

Arthur Moore's Mansony will bid for back-to-back successes in the Grade One event, while 2006 scorer Newmill is also in the nine-runner field.

Dessie Hughes' Schindlers Hunt, a winner at Fairyhouse last time, and the Philip Hobbs-trained Fair Along, third in the Queen Mother at Cheltenham, also take their chance. Don't Be Bitin, Coolgreaney and Gemini Lucy complete the line-up.

Meanwhile, a decision on whether or not to retire Hardy Eustace is unlikely to be made until the end of the summer. Connections of the popular 11-year-old will wait until September when the triple Champion Hurdle hero has had his end-of-season break.

"He's going out to grass now for the summer," said trainer Dessie Hughes. "We'll make up our minds in September when we see how he is."

Hardy Eustace has won six Grade One hurdle races including races at three successive Cheltenham Festivals. Successful in 13 of his 39 starts, he has amassed over €1.2 million in prize money.

He did, however, disappoint on his final start when well beaten in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.