Hardy Eustace - bloodless win (Getty Images).

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Hardy Eustace completed his Cheltenham Festival preparations with a bloodless victory in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran on Saturday.

The eight-year-old was barely extended as he eased home from L'Antartique by 25 lengths to justify 1-6 favouritism.

Conor O'Dwyer settled last year's Smurfit Champion Hurdle winner in behind early leader Ansar and he was happy to be towed along until moving up three flights from home.

O'Dwyer shook the reins at Hardy Eustace after that flight and he extended away, with the rider looking over his shoulder after the second-last.

Hardy Eustace cleared the last in fine style and O'Dwyer eased him down well before the line.

The winning jockey said: "In fairness it was a real trial and Ansar went a good gallop. My fellow jumped brilliantly and I just kept him up to his work.

"I couldn't have asked him to do much more."

Trainer Dessie Hughes added: "I've said all along this season that he is better than he was last year.

"He did everything right today, he jumped well and moved well, and I hope everything stays right up to Cheltenham.

"Training horses at the moment is very difficult because of all the mucus and sickness around.

"We'll put the blinkers back on at Cheltenham. He didn't wear them today because I didn't think he needed them."