What is your earliest memory of the

Cheltenham Festival?

Watching Florida Pearl winning the 1998 Royal & SunAlliance Chase with Richard Dunwoody riding. I remember watching it at home with my babysitter because, at eight years of age, I was too young to go over.

What has been your favourite moment at Cheltenham?

Hurricane Fly regaining the Champion Hurdle crown in 2013. He was such a good horse, he was so consistent. He had so many knockers, and maybe every good horse has knockers but, you know, when you’re close to the horse you feel them more. For him to win back the Champion Hurdle after finishing third the year before gave me a great feeling of vindication.

What was your most disappointing

moment at Cheltenham?

Again, Florida Pearl. So I finally got to go to Cheltenham when Florida Pearl ran in the Gold Cup in 2000. It was my first time at the Cheltenham Festival. Of course, I thought all he had to do was turn up and win because that’s what Florida Pearl did. He finished third and I had that childish feeling of devastation. I can still vividly remember that sinking feeling, but you get used to that in Cheltenham.

Where do you like to go after a day of

racing to relax?

We would often come to eat here at The Lord Bagenal. I had my 21st here, I’ll probably get married and buried here. There’s a little pub on the bridge in Leighlin called Brennan’s, it’s an old pub in behind the shop and we’d often go down there for a quiet pint.

Have you ever had any travel problems getting to and from Cheltenham?

I can remember the Saturday morning after Al Boum Photo won his first Gold Cup, we were all piling into an early taxi to get back for Down Royal. We eventually found Paul Townend and realised there was one too many for the taxi. Of course I was riding in the bumper so I said that I’d get another taxi and book a later flight which of course, got delayed. I just about made it back in time to ride at Down Royal. It was a very long day.

Do you often have people asking you for tips or tickets for the races?

Yeah, I do! I get lots of people asking for tips and tickets, it’s just part of the game. I think the key is to always get something back.

Have you ever been stopped from entering an enclosure or restricted area at Cheltenham because you didn’t have your badge?

Not at the racecourse, but the 21 Club was where we always used to go for a night out after racing. After I won on Cousin Vinny when I was 18, I joined the queue with a few of my friends. Of course, the other jockeys and trainers were skipping the queue so my friends convinced me to go and tell the bouncer who I was and that I’d won a race on the day. So I went on up and said “I’m Patrick Mullins, I won the bumper today.” The bouncer looked me up and down and said: “You’re not a jockey, mate. Get back in the queue.” So yeah, what can you do?

Can you recall any funny moments from Cheltenham?

I walked past the ITV cameras naked one day, which I think made four or five tabloids the next day. You can Google it if you want but, in my defence, it’s chilly in March! That was a memory that stands out.

Have you got a favourite song or artist that you listen to that gets you in the zone for a big race?

Not a particular favourite song, but when I drive to the races I would often throw on the Arctic Monkeys album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not if I’m feeling tired.

Lastly, outside of your own rides, is there a horse that you would love to get the leg up on at the Festival? You can’t say Galopin Des Champs!

Outside of the obvious ones it would have to be Betterdaysahead. She looks special.