Maguire looking forward to festival

Jason Maguire is hoping to savour a second success at the Cheltenham Festival next month.

The 25-year-old already has a promising book of rides including Idle Talk and Lord Of Illusion, both trained by Tom George who provided Maguire with success on Galileo in the 2002 Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle.

Maguire said: “Lord Of Illusion loves Cheltenham and he loves good ground. He looked a real improving sort last season but needed his first couple of runs back this time.

“His run behind Joaaci at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day was an excellent effort.

“He’s in the totesport Gold Cup and I think he’ll also be entered in the William Hill National Hunt Chase – but I’d say he’s a definite for Cheltenham.”

Of Idle Talk who holds entries in the Gold Cup and SunAlliance Chase, Maguire added: “Idle Talk is an out-and-out stayer and really needs soft ground.

“I’m looking forward to getting on him again – he’ll have improved from his win at Exeter last month and is a really exciting horse and a great long-term prospect.”

Having experienced the joy of partnering a winner at the Festival, Maguire is keen to ensure another winner is not long in coming.

He added: “Winning on Galileo was just unbelievable – it was only the horse’s second run over hurdles and it was such a surprise really.

“It means the world to ride a winner at the Cheltenham Festival – everyone takes notice when you have success there, and hopefully this year I’ll go with my strongest book of rides yet.”