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

Day one. I like to get started as the pressure in the run-up to the Festival becomes unbearable. Once we get going, much of the stress lifts and I get into the swing of things.

Tell us about your favourite Festival experience.

Cheltenham and Royal Ascot are both unbearable for me. Remember, this is my work, not a hobby and I’m under fire solidly for the whole week of both events. We can lose well over £1 million on any race, and this year I’ve only watched one! I don’t like watching racing as it doesn’t change the result and I only get myself in a stew. When at the track, the stress is terrible when the jolly hits the front. I’d rather not know!

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

I can’t name a single runner. I bet to figures and faces. I let the punters simply try to beat the market. Tony Morris (legendary greyhound bookmaker) taught me to take as much as possible as cheaply as possible. I believe that any punter who can win backing horses that have already shortened-up, on the off, deserves to win. I’d always like to be the layer then, though.

You’re well known for laying big bets in the betting ring. What is the biggest bet you’ve laid at the Festival and what goes through your mind during the race?

I don’t remember runners or races, I look ahead. We have stood many horses for over £1 million at both Cheltenham and Royal Ascot. As I said, listening to the commentary is torturous!

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

I would not add a fifth day. There are too many races that cut up as it is and I believe it would make the racing uncompetitive to add another day. I wouldn’t want to influence any change at Cheltenham though. My job is to take bets, to offer that service, and lay horses. I stick to my area and don’t want to interfere where I have no expertise. ?

Compiled by Brian O’Keeffe.