Tell us about your favourite Cheltenham Festival experience and why it was so special.

I always watch every race through “Goffs binoculars” so my highlights are always when a horse that has passed under the gavel at Goffs, Doncaster, Aintree or Punchestown wins. Boringly predictable perhaps but we all watch races from our own unique perspective!

Where is the best place to watch the action?

Cheltenham is quite unique in that it is a natural amphitheatre so I always stand on the lawn in front of the grandstand and can see everything. The atmosphere and the roar of the crowd is always special at Prestbury Park. The sloping lawn provides a great view of the track.

If you could own one horse running at this year’s festival, who would it be and why?

Altior. I remain convinced he is a very special horse and that Nicky Henderson will have him 100% on the day, where he may well secure his fifth Cheltenham Festival success. Everything I’ve seen makes me believe that this horse is special, and if Nicky sends him to the Queen Mother, I’d have faith in him to have the horse right.

If you could make one change to the meeting what would it be?

I think the British-Irish contest and surrounding commentary is a little outdated especially since the horse may be foaled in one country, owned by a native of another and trained in a third. Effectively we are one industry/sport and I think the owner, trainer and jockey competitions are more interesting and relevant.

Which of the four days of the Festival is your favourite and why?

The first day, as the anticipation for the four days of the Festival is palpable and the roar of the crowd when the flags go up for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is spine-tingling. It marks the start of a new Festival, the experience is fresh, the course is fresh and it’s a great day of racing. You have the rest of the meeting to look forward to as well. It’s a sense of starting again and the first day is just magnificent.