Preparing for the Cheltenham Festival with Johnny Burke

How are you feeling ahead of the Cheltenham Festival?

I am really looking forward to it. The closer you get to it the more everyone starts to talk about it and of course being a local yard definitely adds to the buzz. When you're a month out you don't really know what rides you're going to have but when you get a bit closer things start to get a bit clearer. So this last week is probably the most exciting part of it.

Do you prepare differently for a big event like Cheltenham?

There's no doubt it's in the back of your mind the prestige of it and the size of the festival. And to be a part of it is massive. But I wouldn't really prepare any differently as such, it's just another race to a certain extent. And we're racing every day up towards it which probably helps to keep my focus. The guys coming over from Ireland, they've got a few more days off than us, so they've probably got more time to think about it than we have.

In terms of preparation on the day it's still just another race. You are aware of the crowds and the prestige of the races you're taking part in but that bit of excitement and nerves is kind of what a jockey wants.

What can you tell us about your rides at Cheltenham?

I suppose the main two would be Crambo, who goes in the Stayers' Hurdle and Dysart Enos in the Mares' Hurdle.

Crambo was very good in the Long Walk at Ascot. He wasn't so good in the Cleeve but he's fresh and well so there's no reason why he doesn't go in with a good each way chance.

And then Dysart Enos. She ran a great race in the Greatwood Hurdle in November. Didn't run so well at Ascot and hasn't run since but this better weather and the ground conditions should help her and she has a bit of form at the track now as well. I am looking forward to running her, it's her first time over the trip in the Mares' Hurdle but she'll be ridden to be placed and anything better will be great as well.

What's your earliest memory of the Cheltenham Festival?

I was very lucky growing up to be associated with the Willie Mullins' stable. And actually my neighbour at the time was jockey David Condon, cousin of Paul Townend. So I used to spend my summers and holidays with Willie and was lucky enough to get brought along to Cheltenham for the week. I got the week off school! So I've got plenty of fond early memories of the place.

And lastly, away from racing, how do you like to switch off and relax?

Yeah I suppose the last couple of months, I haven't really had much time to switch off. But going into the spring now and the summer you do get a few days off and golf, with the weather getting better, is definitely a nice way to spend a day off.

Other than that I do like a bit of shopping and going for lunch. Nothing too drastic but going into the spring and the summer is quite nice as you do get a day off after a busy winter.