Racing: Dessie Hughes is in a bullish mood ahead of Hardy Eustace's rematch with Macs Joy and Brave Inca in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Although his nine-year-old was beaten into third by those two rivals 12 months ago, Hughes believes his warrior has every chance of exacting his revenge at the weekend.
"He is ready and I suppose he will take all of the beating. Everybody knows he is better on a bigger track like Cheltenham but I still think he will be the one to beat," he said.
Hardy Eustace has landed the last two renewals of the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and is out for his fourth successive Festival win having taken the 2003 Royal & Sun Alliance.
Despite being known to flourish in the spring, he kicked off his campaign with a bloodless success at Punchestown on New Year's Eve and Hughes reports his preparations to have gone well.
"Everything has gone fine and the ground will be better than last year," he said. "We have had a dry week and the ground is yielding to soft.
"I will leave the blinkers off this weekend and do the same as last year - wait for the big day.
"We will see how he is after the race but I would think he will go to Gowran (for the Red Mills Trial Hurdle ) and then to Cheltenham.
"He has only had the one run this year so should be well up to taking in Gowran on the way."
Brave Inca, runner-up 12 months ago, is the even-money favourite with Ladbrokes to take take top honours this time.
His trainer Colm Murphy said of last March's Champion Hurdle third: "So far everything has gone well and I hope it all works out."
The eight-year-old was placed on five consecutive occasions last season, but has been much more prolific this time with two victories, including taking the scalp of Harchibald at Christmas.
"It is by no means an easy race and you really have to respect Hardy Eustace - he is a dual Champion winner," continued Murphy.
"Golden Cross has a serious chance and there is Macs Joy, if he is back to his best.
Macs Joy is available at 13-2 with Ladbrokes to repeat last year's success having been beaten on his three starts this term, although trainer Jessica Harrington's stable is starting to emerge from a quiet spell.
Golden Cross just failed to nail Solerina at Fairyhouse last month and represents Mick Halford, while The French Furze makes the long journey across the Irish Sea from Nicky Richards' Cumbrian base.
AIG Europe Champion Hurdle betting: William Hill: 5-4 Brave Inca, 7-4 Hardy Eustace, 6-1 Macs Joy, 15-2 Golden Cross, 33-1 Arch Rebel, Sadlers Wings, 40-1 The French Furze. Ladbrokes: Evens Brave Inca, 15-8 Hardy Eustace, 13-2 Macs Joy, 8-1 Golden Cross, 25-1 The French Furze, 33-1 Arch Rebel, Sadlers Wings.