Racing/Focus on Jockey Conor O'Dwyer: Conor O'Dwyer doesn't mind talking about his age, which is just as well because interviewers in the run-up to today have been focusing quite a lot on the jockey's 38 years.

Since O'Dwyer is a pivotal figure on Day One of the festival, that has meant a lot of "how much longer" questions.

But with quality rides like the reigning champion hurdler Hardy Eustace and the white-hot Irish hope for the Arkle Trophy War Of Attrition, those interrogators are barking up several wrong trees. O'Dwyer is going nowhere for a while yet. Even though he will be 39 next week.

With time comes experience, and nobody is better suited to carrying the bulk of Irish hopes than the Wexford-born rider. Starting out in the hungry 1980s meant enduring some barren years at Cheltenham, but O'Dwyer was at his peak when the resurgence came in the 1990s. It all means little can surprise him at the festival anymore, and that's a definite plus.

"I don't get tensed up anymore," he says simply. "When you're younger you're mainly afraid of getting it wrong. It's a place that can make or break a young jockey. If you mess up on a hot favourite the whole world is watching. But that's in the past for me. Now I just try to enjoy it."

That easy-going attitude seemed to percolate down to Hardy Eustace 12 months ago as the pair free-wheeled to a dramatic, 33 to 1 victory. O'Dwyer joined an elite club by adding to his only other festival winner, Imperial Call in the 1996 Gold Cup.

But this time round there is plenty of expectation. Significantly, though, the rider will have plenty more confidence in his horse and the belief that now is Hardy Eustace's time and place.

"I think he is a better horse now, and I know he is stronger. He has been carrying me this season, whereas last year at half way I'd be shoving him along. I know he raced when it mattered, but it's just easier on him now.

"Some horses also seem to bloom in the spring, but what I think is a huge factor is his record at Cheltenham. It's a tricky course, tight and always on the turn. A lot of horses can't handle it. Having won there twice before is a big advantage," O'Dwyer says.

Another plus point for Hardy Eustace is that first track success in the 2003 SunAlliance Hurdle. That two miles and five furlong event has thrown up other champions, such Istabraq and Morley Street in recent times, and O'Dwyer doesn't believe that is a coincidence.

"The two miles in the Champion Hurdle is like two and a quarter anywhere else. It's just so demanding and so competitive," he says. "That's why I keep coming back to Brave Inca as a danger. He has done it there and is guaranteed to get up the hill.

"You can't say the same about Macs Joy and Harchibald. Back In Front has, but then he hasn't run in a while."

The rider can present a cogent argument as to why Hardy Eustace can win again, but raw enthusiasm is his spontaneous reaction to War Of Attrition. It has always been so.

"The first day I rode him at Navan I jumped off and told Mouse (Morris) he was as nice a young horse as I had ever ridden. I always compare him to Imperial Call. The trip doesn't matter with him, the ground doesn't matter and tactics don't matter.

"In fact, it's very hard to have an excuse if you're beaten on him. You can't say you came too soon or too late, because it doesn't matter. I suppose experience might be a slight worry, but the way he jumped at Naas was brilliant. I know he might not have beaten much, but we still went a helluva gallop and he didn't put a foot wrong," O'Dwyer enthuses.

As for threats, not many come to his mind. In fact, take his horse out of it and O'Dwyer says the Arkle looks very open.

"Watson Lake can look brilliant sometimes but I just wonder will a true-run Cheltenham race suit him. It will be hard for Ulaan Baatar to come back so soon from his Navan run, and My Will may not be quick enough. In fact I don't think it looks a particularly hot race," he declares.

A pair of victories for Hardy Eustace and War Of Attrition could mean a volley of questions for O'Dwyer next year about nearing 40 and still going strong.