Racing: Dessie Hughes is in positive mood ahead of Hardy Eustace's run in the Coral Ascot Hurdle on Saturday.
The dual Champion Hurdle winner eased to an impressive success in last season's Grade Two contest and warmed up for his repeat bid with a spin on the Flat in the Irish Cesarewitch last month.
"We ran him in the Cesarewitch and we were very happy with him," explained Hughes.
"He led them into the straight and he just got a bit tired, but it was a good run and he showed plenty of pace.
"He appears to be as good as ever. He's working well and he looks very well.
"He surprised me (by how easily he won last year) but I don't know if the others were up to their best that day and he was getting 8lb off them.
"It was an exceptionally good run but his run in the AIG was just as good."
Hughes anticipates campaigning Hardy Eustace down the staying route this season providing everything goes to plan at the weekend.
"I think it's easier for him as you have to put the gun to his head every time over two miles, he has to make it or be up there," he told At The Races.
"Maybe as they go further he'll have a bit of a better chance.
"He won a Sun Alliance over two miles and five furlongs, going away, so it should be no problem to him getting three miles."