Extra spice was added to next month's Cheltenham Festival with the news today that Kieren Fallon is to ride in the champion bumper.
The six-times champ has been booked to ride the Noel Glynn traind Old McDonald, a top priced 25-1 shot for glory.
It will be only Fallon's second ride in the contest, having rodeJonjo O'Neill's Refinement to finish fourth behind Missed That in 2005.
Old McDonald opened his account at the third time of asking at Ludlow in December after showing good form in some top class bumpers in Ireland.
His handler told Attheraces said: "We are from the same parish in County Clare and Kieren was a neighbour of mine, so I decided to get him booked and I couldn't have got much better. This is a good horse and he won nicely at Ludlow last time."
"The time before he was second to Tavern Times at Fairyhouse and was maybe a bit unlucky. Tavern Times is one of the favourites for the Champion Bumper and I'd like to think we'll be wherever he is.
"Whether it will be just in front of him or just behind him I don't know, hopefully in front.
"I have 14 horses riding out at the moment and my only Cheltenham runner I've ever had was a horse that ran in the Triumph Hurdle years ago. This year I'll hopefully have Old McDonald and Becauseicouldntsee, who will hopefully run in the four-miler (National Hunt Chase) on the same day.
"Hopefully it will be great day and as an owner and a trainer, Cheltenham is what you dream about."
