Heading into the Cheltenham Festival in 1999, Mick Fitzgerald only boasted two winners at jump racing's blue riband meeting.

Now, after last year's abandonment, he is aiming to be leading rider for the third time running following four victories apiece at the last two festivals.

An articulate and witty figure, Fitzgerald makes for interesting interviews as he proved after one of his biggest successes

The genial Irishman ensured his place among the great sporting quotes, with his frank post-race verdict after winning the 1996 Grand National at Aintree on Rough Quest.

"Sex is an anti-climax after this," he told Des Lynam in a BBC TV interview.

Fitzgerald travelled to England from Killarney at the age of 18 and has gradually established himself as one of National Hunt's leading jockeys.

A retainer with the prolific Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson has reaped rich dividends.

And a second partnership, with Paul Nicholls, brought him Gold Cup glory in 1999 aboard See More Business, who has also twice won the King George VI Chase.

In the same year, Fitzgerald's Festival wins included the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Festival on Call Equiname.