Paul Townend takes us through his four rides on Day One at Cheltenham

The Cheltenham Festival is here again. I am feeling good. All the work is done, the horses are in good form and we just need a bit of luck from here on.

It doesn’t feel a whole lot different to other years, eventhough Ruby Walsh has now retired. I was going to the meeting with a good bookrides in previous years as well.

There is a little bit more pressure, a bit more focus thanpressure, but that’s probably because I have better chances, so I wouldn’t swapit.

My first ride is Asterion Forlonge (1.30), who I am really looking forward to riding. He impressed me a lot when he won in Naas and probably surprised me with the pace he showed to win at Leopardstown.

He is a very strong stayer. He is a good ride to start themeeting with in that he is straightforward. We shouldn’t be getting caught upin the hustle and bustle of the race and it would be a dream start if we couldget off the mark.

It’s a hot race with Shishkin and Fiddleronthehoof who Iknow Robbie Power really likes. It is sporting of Mr Donnelly to let AsterionForlonge and Shishkin run in the same race.

From what I understand he leaves it all up to the trainers.He employs them to do a job and I suppose they are coming out of differentcamps. If the trainers think this is the best place to be, he rolls with that.

Like Asterion Forlonge, Cash Back (2.10) is straightforward in that he has one way of running. He likes to get on with things and he is gaining good experience all the time.

It will be a typical Arkle, fast and furious from theget-go. He has a bit to find with Notebook, but I don’t think it is beyond therealms of possibility that he could reverse the form. If we do go very hard itcould set it up for the likes of Fakir D’oudaries coming from behind.

I am on Cilaos Emery (3.30) in the Champion Hurdle. Sharjah is Patrick’s ride. I am very happy with Cilaos.

It’s an open race but I just hope it’s not going to be amessy race with all the runners. I hope we can get a clear run around and if wecan keep a lid on Cilaos in the preliminaries that will be a positive.

It’s hard to pick the winner of the race. It’s probablywrong to knock the runners but when we don’t have a stand out we tend to thinkit’s not a very good race.

Cilaos jumped okay in the main, and was the better thefaster we went at Gowran Park. Luke McMahon coughed up the money to supplementand let’s hope he can get that back.

I am really looking forward to riding Benie Des Dieux (4.10). It’s good to have her as an anchor on the first day.

She has a bit of unfinished business there but she is anincredible mare. She is so versatile but it won’t be simple with Honeysuckle inthe field, and Willie has two other decent mares in Stormy Ireland and Elfile.

Hopefully it will be a true run race. We will keep it assimple as we can. She obviously stays well but this probably is her best tripand it’s against mares as well.

I wasn’t on her last year when she fell but it will bebrilliant to be going to the last with the luxury of being able to think aboutwhat happened then and not being in a tight battle.

I don’t see that happening as I’m sure Honeysuckle will begiving me something else to think about.

Paul.