I HAVE worked for Noel Meade for four years and I had my first taste of the Cheltenham Festival last year.

One of the horses I take care of is Road To Respect, or Roads as he is known in the yard.

Roads is a big, gentle giant and he’s very quiet to handle, loves attention and is definitely one of the superstars in the stable. He is very easy to handle at the races, he doesn’t get strong when led and really just knows his job.

The adrenaline and excitement at the Festival was amazing. Running up the hill to collect Roads after he had won the Brown Advisory and Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase, and then leading him back into the parade ring, is a feeling I will never forget.

I was in Cheltenham for the week and I also looked after De Name Escapes Me, who unfortunately burst a blood vessel and lost a shoe before being pulled up in his race.

Each morning at 6.45am we would head to the stables to feed, tack up and exercise the horses. It is a little bit earlier than our routine at home.

There is always a friendly atmosphere around the racecourse and the evenings are good craic. We stay in the Hunters Lodge, beside the racecourse. Lots of Irish people stay there.

Roads is a great traveller. Last year I travelled in the lorry with him too. We bring our own hay and feed with us.

Exactly one month after his Cheltenham win, Roads won a Grade 1 race at the Punchestown Festival and he has continued his progress this season.

After finishing second at Down Royal in November, he won the Grade 1 Leopardstown Christmas Chase at Leopardstown, when he was fitted with a hood for the first time. Now he is one of the favourites for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Roll on March 16th. J