Jockey Conor O'Dwyer, a month away from his 39th birthday and in the twilight of his riding career, can take the honours on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival tomorrow by completing an outstanding double for Ireland.

In the £300,000 Smurfit Champion Hurdle, he teams-up again with Hardy Eustace, on whom he won the race 12 months ago. He will also be aboard War Of Attrition in the £140,000 Irish Independent Arkle Trophy Chase

The latter, trained by Mouse Morris, who rates him on a par with Buck House, his champion chaser of the 80s, is unbeaten in two starts over fences. He confirmed that he is well above average over hurdles by his narrow defeat by Brave Inca in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle exactly a year ago.

War Of Attrition, tomorrow's Nap selection, is considered by many in Ireland to be one of the 'bankers' of the meeting for the visitors and will be backed accordingly. Currently trading at around 3-1 favourite, the chances are he will be sent off even shorter tomorrow, such is the confidence in his untapped potential.

Hardy Eustace spearheads a formidable Irish challenge in the Champion Hurdle, with the first seven horses in the betting all being trained across the water.

A 25-1 shot when he beat Rooster Booster last year, Hardy Eustace is quoted at 3-1 this time and looks to have an outstanding chance of retaining his crown.

He was an easy winner at Gowran on his latest start and looks to be peaking at the right time under the tutelage of trainer Dessie Hughes, who won the Champion Hurdle as a jockey on Monksfield back in the 1970s.

There is not a lot to choose between the main Irish protagonists. Hardy Eustace may have most to fear from two of his fellow raiders, Brave Inca, who showed he likes this course when winning at last year's Festival, and Harchibald, who has won his last three races in the style of a potential champion.

Ireland can also rule the roost in the opening Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle, a race they have won in five of the last six years.

Justified, trained by Dusty Sheehy, and an impressive winner of a Grade 2 race at Punchestown last time, could be the one to keep the Irish squad on top.

Tuesday's tips:

Cheltenham Festival

2.00 Justified, 2.35 War Of Attrition (Nap), 3.15 Hardy Eustace, 4.00 Ballybough Rasher, 4.40 Spot Thedifference, 5.20 Nation State.

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Sedgefield and Southwell.

Tom O'Ryan's Nap for this afternoon's racing was: Atahuelpa (4.10 at Stratford).

Updated: 09:48 Monday, March 14, 2005