SWINDON’S Wayne Hutchinson can’t wait to hear the Cheltenham roar when tapes go up for the first time at The Festival this afternoon.

Hutchinson has one ride on the opening day of the four day festival as he rides L’Unique in the OLBG Mares Hurdle.

The six-year-old was third behind Quevega in the same race last year and despite having a tough ride against Willie Mullins’ hot favourite Annie Power Hutchinson is confident he can ride her to a place, if not cause a shock on the first day.

“I’m ready for action and let the fun begin I suppose,” he said.

“L’Unique was third in the race last year and run very well.

“She is a grade one winner back in her juvenile days when she won the Anniversary Hurdle up at Aintree.

“She has had a break. She hasn’t run since before Christmas, she doesn’t want proper winter ground and that is why she hasn’t been seen.

“It has come into her time of year and she has course form and goes in with a live each-way chance.

“Obviously Annie Power is a graded winner and she is going to be very difficult to beat if she turns up on song but we have got every chance of placing or even try and overtake and beat her.”

Hutchinson, who rides for Barbury Castle-based Alan King, will be keen to get a winner early on to add to his success in the Coral Cup in 2013 on Medina and on Oh Crick in 2009.

Ned Stark has been talked up as the best chance for King to land a winner on day one and Hutchinson believes being a novice could play into his favour.

“It is a great buzz and atmosphere at Cheltenham and from a jockey’s point of view there is plenty of apprehension and tension, everybody wants to get off to a good start," he added.

“If you can try and ride a winner early doors it just helps you relax.

“You’re sure to hear a big roar when the tapes go up for the first race.

“Ned Stark is a nice scopey horse who won a grade two the last race he ran around Wetherby.

“He has course experience back in January and he could potentially be well treated off his handicap mark of 143, I think he is rated.

“He carries eleven stone, so he has a good racing weight, middle of the handicap.

“Another plus on his side is that sometimes novices in those open handicaps are unproven and can be progressive and he sort of fits that profile.”

Away from his own yard Hutchinson has picked out two Willie Mullins trained horses, Douvan and Un De Sceaux, to look out for on the opening day.

“Willie Mullins has got a very strong hand,” said Hutchinson.

“Obviously he has got a strong hand all week but he has got three hot favourites today.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Douvan in the first. I think the camp feel that is their banker of the meeting.

"And that horse in the Arkle, Un De Sceaux, he has been pretty exciting to watch in Ireland and I am looking forward to see him in the flesh and see what he can do.”