Toon duo in it for Shear enjoyment
The pair are part-owners of Smurfit Champion Hurdle hopeful Intersky Falcon, but Wednesday evening's second-leg UEFA Cup tie against Olympiakos at St James' Park means they will have to watch the action deep in the Cotswolds from afar.
"I won't be there, unfortunately, as we have a game on Wednesday I'm gutted," McDermott said. "I would normally have gone down this afternoon.
"But I'll be screaming at the television, that's for sure.
"I love Cheltenham it is the Mecca of racing. It is an unbelievable meeting, the highlight of my year, and has been so for the last five years.
"I was still in football before that, so it was difficult to get there all the time, but I have been going on and off for donkey's years.
"Even when I was a player I'd go, and we even flew into Cheltenham a few times, which was just unbelievable. But it is four days now and I don't think my liver would have coped with it, so maybe it's a good thing I can't make it."
McDermott and Shearer have formed a strong friendship through their Intersky racing link, and the coach will be keeping a watchful eye on Shearer's other Festival chances.
"Alan has got two other runners, Covent Garden on Wednesday (in the Coral Cup) and Akilak on Friday (in the JCB Triumph Hurdle), and he can't go either as we have got a job to do here," he added.
"It's all going very well, though. We have won our last seven games and with the luck we are having, lets hope it carries on into the racing.
"My nap of the week would be Brewster (in the Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle on Friday), but my next best would be Akilak in the Triumph I haven't backed it, but I will do."
Trained by County Durham handler Howard Johnson, Akilak stormed home on his debut for an impressive 50-1 victory at Cheltenham two months ago.
"I wasn't on when he won first time, but some of the lads were," said McDermott. "It was a great price and he is a good horse. He will take all the beating and I really hope he wins for Alan.
"Me and Alan talk racing every day. He is really into it and finds it a great way to relieve stress. He absolutely loves it it's a great pastime."
McDermott fancies Strong Flow in the Gold Cup, but will miss one familiar face from the line-up.
"I think Strong Flow will win, but it is very disappointing that Best Mate isn't there this time," he said. "I don't honestly think he would have won a fourth Gold Cup, but they did amazingly well to win three."
The footballing duo's Intersky Falcon, trained by Jonjo O'Neill, is no stranger to the Festival either, having finished third and fifth in the last two renewals of the Champion Hurdle.
"He hasn't run since November but is in tremendous form. Jonjo is delighted with him and he has been giving his work rider a lovely feel," said McDermott.
THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
Today: 2pm Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle; 2.35 Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy; 3.15 Smurfit Champion Hurdle; 4pm William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase; 4.40 Sporting Index Cross Country Handicap Chase; 5.20 Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle.
Tomorrow: 2pm Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle; 2.35 Royal & SunAlliance Chase; 3.15 Queen Mother Champion Chase; 4pm Coral Cup; 4.40 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase; 5.20 Weatherbys Champion Bumper.
Thursday: 2pm Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase; 2.35 Daily Telegraph Festival Trophy; 3.15 Ladbrokes World Hurdle; 4pm Mildmay Of Flete Handicap Chase; 4.40 National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup; 5.20 Pertemps Final.
Friday: 2pm JCB Triumph Hurdle; 2.35 Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle; 3.15 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup; 4pm Christie's Foxhunter Chase, 4.40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase; 5.05 Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle.
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