BARRY GERAGHTY'S 2003 FESTIVAL FIVE-TIMER William Hill Chase Youlneverwalkalone Pertemps Hurdle Inching Closer Champion Chase Moscow Flyer Triumph Hurdle Spectroscope County Hurdle Spirit Leader

The Irishman claimed the Daily Telegraph leading rider title, becoming only the third rider to amass five winners in the award's 23-year history.

"I don't think it gets much better than last year," Geraghty told BBC Sport.

"To go into the last race, the County Hurdle, with both me and Richard Johnson on four winners and then to win the last race to win the leading rider award, that was a case of 'pinch me'.

"I was very fortunate last year. Things bounced right. I'd go for the five again, but I'd settle for one or two."

"Things can go so easily wrong during any race so you have to take it as it comes."

Geraghty had tasted the other side of the racing coin at the 2002 meeting when despite picking up his first Festival winner on Moscow Flyer in the Arkle, he was handed a 12-day ban for his ride on Magnus.

Moscow Flyer also proved to be the pick of Geraghty's winners last year, taking the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the 10-year-old is his banker once again this year.

"Given a clear round and everything going right, he'll take a hell of a lot of beating," said the 24-year-old.

His ride in the Gold Cup is Keen Leader, whom he has ridden just once when the horse won the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock in December.

"He jumped brilliantly and in fairness he destroyed the field. He's a serious horse. He did everything right on the day. If he handles the better ground he's going to run a big race," said Geraghty.

He'll take a hell of a lot of beating Geraghty on Moscow Flyer Profile: Barry Geraghty

But the Irishman believes two-time Gold Cup winner Best Mate, who is odds-on for the hat-trick, is better than ever this year.

"I was more impressed with him in the Ericsson than I have been any day and I've ridden against him in two Gold Cups - but in the Ericsson I thought he was unbelievable," he said.

It is harsh luck on Keen Leader's regular rider Liam Cooper that he has lost the ride but Geraghty says jockeys accept getting 'jocked off' as part of the job.

"I get on well with Liam but that's life. It's happened to me on enough occasions. You just have to get on with the job. You can't carry a grudge with you. We're all out there helping each other," said Geraghty.

The County Meath-born rider's triumphant Cheltenham was capped with victory in last year's Grand National but despite his success in the top British races, he has no plans to move over from Ireland.

"I enjoy my trips over but I like the mix. It's a good lifestyle," said Geraghty, who has just become only the third jockey to ride a century of winners in Ireland and who looks set to become champion jockey there once again.

But he admits that there is little to compare with the Cheltenham Festival.

"It's the Olympics, it's where we show our wares. It's the showdown for the year, the pinnacle of the year," he said.