O'Connor looking forward to Cheltenham rides

Leading amateur jockey Derek O'Connor is hoping to add to his tally at next week's Cheltenham Festival.

O'Connor, who has ridden over 1,000 point-to-point winners, has enjoyed three previous victories at the Cheltenham Festival.

He broke his Festival duck aboard Chicago Grey in the 2011 National Hunt Chase and completed a memorable double aboard Zemsky in the Foxhunter Chase later in the week.

O'Connor rode his third winner at the showpiece meeting aboard Minella Rocco in the National Hunt Chase 12 months ago and while some of his mounts for this year have not yet been finalised, he is sure to be a man in demand.

He said: "I'm not sure what I'll be riding just yet as some plans are subject to the ground and one or two other things.

"I'd love to ride Edwulf in the four-miler (National Hunt Chase), but I think there's a chance he might go for the RSA Chase, so we'll see.

"I'm riding Colour Squadron for Enda Bolger in the banks race (cross-country). He should be a nice spin and it's always great to ride for Enda in those races.

"I think I'm going to ride Balnaslow in the Foxhunter. He's a grand old horse who was fourth in the Kim Muir a few years ago and he's been running well in point-to-points.

"I don't have anything firmed up for the Kim Muir yet, so we'll see what happens."