JONJO O'Neill is hoping to conjure up more Festival success at a meeting he describes as "a magic time".

The former two-times champion jockey will make the short journey from his Jackdaws Castle stable in Temple Guiting in search of more rich pickings at the best race-meeting in the world.

With 16 Festival winners as a trainer, O'Neill likes nothing more than the build-up to, and then the four days themselves at Prestbury Park this week.

"It's a magic time, having a craic with the lads and seeing the little smiles come on their faces with everyone getting excited," he said.

"It's a real privilege to have a horse good enough to go there, but once you've sorted that out you've got to make sure they get there fit and well on the day.

"You're gutted when you've got a horse who's good enough to go but they're not sound enough to run.

"That's all pressure but that's what makes it exciting too.

"When it comes right it explodes at Cheltenham.

"That must be what it's like for the punters, spotting a horse earlier in the season and then following them all the way to Cheltenham. It's a real buzz for everyone.

"It's definitely more high profile and with the four days it gives people more options.

"The races are just so competitive. It doesn't matter if it is a Grade One or the handicaps.

"In fact I think the handicaps are more competitive because people are backing off a good horse in the Grade Ones and running in handicaps.

"It's very good racing and you've got to be lucky and everything has to be spot-on on the day for you, or you just don't win at Cheltenham."

O'Neill has a big place in the history of the world-famous racecourse following his dramatic victory in the 1986 Gold Cup aboard Dawn Run.

Riders will be reminded of that feat when they pass the bronze of O'Neill and Dawn Run on the exit to the parade ring.

O'Neill said: "My main memory of the Festival is obviously Dawn Run in the Gold Cup. It was a fantastic feeling and I was in my twilight years as a jockey.

"It's a day you never forget and you remember every blade of grass going around.

"I'd had an up and down career, with broken legs and backs, things like that, as well as winning the championships and the big races.

"But that day in the Gold Cup is something that sticks in your mind forever and when things are going bad you think, 'You've been there before, stick at it and you'll come back again.'"