What is your earliest memory of the Cheltenham Festival?

I would say it’s Joe Cullen winning the Champion Bumper in 2000 with Charlie Swan for my uncle Willie. I can still remember watching the presentation afterwards, Patrick Mullins was there, he was about eight at the time. He got a kiss on the cheek from one of the women presenting and he wiped it off with the sleeve of his jacket!

What has been your favourite moment at Cheltenham?

My favourite moment was the first time that I got to go to Cheltenham when I was 10. The first race that I saw live at Cheltenham was Direct Route being beaten by Edredon Bleu in the Champion Chase, it was a very iconic finish. Norman Williamson and A.P. McCoy were riding and it was a very tough battle.

What has been your most disappointing day at the Festival?

I suppose it would have to be Corbett’s Cross last year when he ran out through the wings of the last hurdle in the Albert Bartlett. We thought that we were going to have a big day with him but nothing seemed to go right. He ran very free and it all ended in disaster. Hopefully he can right those wrongs this year.

Do you have a favourite restaurant or pub in Cheltenham?

We’ve all been to 21 Club in Cheltenham but that’s closed now. We’ll be on the lookout for a new favourite this year

Have you ever had any travel problems getting to and from Cheltenham?

I was late going to Bristol Airport for a flight and I missed the check-in. I got a taxi from Bristol Airport back to the motorway where Alain Cawley collected me, he was living in Cheltenham with Aidan Coleman at the time.

We drove up to Birmingham and I managed to get a spot in one of Gordon Elliott’s horse lorries going back on the boat that night. I eventually made it home at about 6 o’clock the next morning, only seven hours later than I had planned!

Where in Cheltenham has the best view to watch the racing?

For years I’ve always watched the races at the steps out on the course with the stable staff. There’s a great atmosphere there.

Have you ever been stopped from entering an enclosure at Cheltenham because you didn’t have your badge?

Yeah plenty of times. I always say that if you look like you know where you’re going, nine times out of 10 you’ll get there!

Is there anything you do before one of your horses runs to get yourself into the right frame of mind?

Not particularly no, I don’t have any rituals but I’m quite superstitious. I always wave at magpies and if I see two of them, I know that I have the chance of a winner then.