Former Denis Ahern 'pointer,' Next Sensation is reported right on target to bid for a repeat win in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival.

Michael Scudamore's nine-year-old has struggled since his day in the sun last March, having even attempted running over two and a half miles on two occasions.

Next Sensation has also been running on unfavourably soft ground and partly as a result of not having had his ideal conditions, his handicap mark is now just 1lb higher than when he won the Grand Annual last year.

"I'm very pleased with him and he's coming along nicely," said Scudamore.

"I just hope the ground dries out as he's been running mainly on soft ground all season, which hasn't suited him.

"He'll go straight there now, but we might take him for a racecourse gallop like we did last year."