EDWARD GILLESPIE is thrilled record-breaking Flat jockey Hayley Turner wants to ride at the Cheltenham Festival.

Turner, dubbed "the hottest property in racing" by the Cheltenham Racecourse managing director, became the first female jockey to ride 100 winners in a calendar year last month.

And now the 26-year-old wants to fulfil another ambition by emulating top Flat jockeys Jamie Spencer, Kieren Fallon and Michael Hills by riding in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the March meeting.

Gillespie, who has tried to attract Frankie Dettori to the Festival in the past, is certain Turner's participation would raise interest in the race, which does not feature hurdles or fences.

"At the moment Hayley Turner is the hottest property in racing," he said.

"In terms of Flat racing, not only has she ridden 100 winners but she has also ridden winners at big meetings and she is far better known than any rider outside the top three or four men.

"I'm delighted she has declared an interest in experiencing her first slice of Festival action and that appeals enormously to us.

"I'm sure it would bring attention to her and to the race, and I'm sure people would want to see how she gets on.

"She will have to apply for a jumps licence, but I'm sure that won't be a problem.

"Hopefully she can find a mount that's competitive, and I'm sure she'd find it entertaining to ride among jump jockeys.

"Flat boys who've ridden in the race have said it's one of the most interesting experiences of their lives."

Nigel Twiston-Davies' hopes of winning the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase depend on his top two-mile chaser Mahogany Blaze.

The Naunton trainer's gelding was among the 29 entries, headed by last year's winner Master Minded, announced for the race on March 11.

Twiston-Davies has kept his Festival options open for Imperial Commander and Knowhere by entering them both for the Ryanair Chase, along with Battlecry, as well as the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Jonjo O'Neill has done likewise by entering Gold Cup contender Exotic Dancer in the Ryanair.

SEASONS HOLIDAYS QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE ENTRIES: Andreas, Ashley Brook, Big Zeb, Briareus, Fiepes Shuffle, I'm So Lucky, J'Y Vole, Killaghy Castle, Lord Henry, Mahogany Blaze, Marodima, Master Minded, Medicinal, Moon Over Miami, Natal, Newmill, Noland, Or Noir De Somoza, Pablo Du Charmil, Petit Robin, Santa's Son, Scotsirish, Takeroc, Tamarinbleu, Thyne Again, Tidal Bay, Twist Magic, Voy Por Ustedes, Well Chief.

RYANAIR CHASE ENTRIES: Araldur, Barbers Shop, Battlecry, Big Zeb, Billyvoddan, Exotic Dancer, Finger Onthe Pulse, Glenfinn Captain, Golden Flight, Gwanako, Hobbs Hill, Imperial Commander, Iron Man, J'Y Vole, Killaghy Castle, Knight Legend, Knowhere, L'Antartique, Massini's Maguire, Mister McGoldrick, Monet's Garden, Moon Over Miami, Natal, Nation State, Newmill, Noland, Or Noir De Somoza, Original, Oslot, Our Vic, Ouzbeck, Rubberdubber, Schindlers Hunt, Scotsirish, Silverburn, Sky's The Limit, Slim Pickings, Snoopy Loopy, Snowy Morning, Stan, State Of Play, Takeroc, Tamarinbleu, Thyne Again, Tidal Bay, Twist Magic, Vic Venturi, Voy Por Ustedes.