Racing: News round-up: John Carr might not be one of the big-gun trainers setting their sights on Cheltenham but he is still confident of getting his stable star Sublimity to the Supreme Novices' Hurdle with a big chance in March.

The ex-Michael Stoute-trained horse made a big impression when winning his sole jumps start to date at Leopardstown over Christmas and could have a final warm-up for his festival target at Punchestown on Sunday week.

Carr, who trains near Maynooth, has the Grade Two Byrne Group Novice Hurdle, won last year by Justified, as an option but won't be too disheartened if Sublimity misses that race.

"He runs very well fresh and I would be just as happy with a racecourse gallop or another schooling hurdle. He won at the Curragh on a first run back and he also won the Doncaster Mile for Stoute first time out," Carr said yesterday.

That Curragh success last April was in the Listed Alleged Stakes where Sublimity had Acropolis, Cairdeas and Tolpuddle stretched behind him.

He continues to give Carr, whose speciality had been shrewd raids on some of the lesser tracks in Britain, a glimpse of the high life and Cheltenham could yet become the highest of all.

"He is in great form and bounced out of his race at Leopardstown in great shape. He didn't have a hard race at all," the trainer reported. "I'm looking at Punchestown but if it looks like turning into a terribly hot race we might skip it altogether."

He added: "He actually has plenty of experience. He was ready for a run last season when he took part in a couple of schooling hurdles, and he has had another couple of schooling races this season. Throw in the actual race and maybe another school and I think that would give him ample experience to go."

Another smart ex-flat racer, Sweet Wake, is at the front of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle betting at present but Sublimity could yet get the chance to cut his own odds, currently 25 to 1 with Ladbrokes, before the festival.

Leopardstown's AIG Champion Hurdle will be this weekend's feature and Dessie Hughes is hoping that the current dry weather spell continues until Sunday for his double champion Hardy Eustace.

The horse is set to renew rivalry with the principals in last year's epic AIG finish, Macs Joy and Brave Inca, and Hughes is convinced better ground will suit Hardy Eustace.

"If the forecast is right it might be a little better than last year when he was only just beaten on heavy. Better than that and I think he will give a great account of himself," he said yesterday.

"He is on schedule for the race and I'm very happy with him. He will do a little piece of work on Wednesday. His last race will have put him right although he doesn't need a lot of work," Hughes added.

The Curragh trainer also hasn't ruled out getting Central House to Cheltenham for the Champion Chase despite the horse pulling a muscle when last of four to Fota Island at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

"He's a bit stiff and sore but at least he's sound and his legs are fine. He did it at the first fence when he over-reached. He will be out for a few weeks anyway.

"If I get a race into him before Cheltenham it will be Naas on February 26th but we will see how he is. You don't want an interrupted preparation going to the Cheltenham Festival," Hughes reported.

Fota Island himself has emerged unscathed from his Grade Two triumph and will run next in the Champion Chase itself.

"I don't think we've seen the best of him yet. He is training like a better horse this year and there is little mileage on the clock. There is more improvement in him," said his trainer Mouse Morris.

"I've got a lot of respect for Moscow Flyer and Jessica Harrington's horses look like they are running better. Kauto Star has been impressive but might have to improve again. Our horse has an outside chance but he loves Cheltenham," he added.

Nickname, one of the star novice chasers this season, could have a third start in Ireland in Sunday's Baileys Arkle Chase although trainer Martin Brassil hasn't ruled out waiting for the PJ Moriarty Chase two weeks later.

"We will leave it until later in the week before deciding," he said yesterday.