It's been 25 years since Cartmel's James Moffatt won the County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham as a jockey and he'll be looking to do the same as a trainer this afternoon.

Moffatt was first past the post on Home Counties, who was trained by his father Dudley, back in 1995, while he has had a winner at the famous Gloucestershire course as a trainer before, with Chief Dan George in the Festival Trophy during 2010.

Now he has the chance to complete a notable double in the Hurdle, which starts at 2:10pm, with Minella Charmer, who will be ridden by Barrow jockey Charlotte Jones, in one of the races building up to today's Gold Cup.

The nine-year-old gelding arrives at Cheltenham in some form, having won his last two races, most recently the Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle under Jones at Haydock under Jones in December.

At the time of writing, his odds were at 40/1, but Moffatt said: "We think he's got a bit of a chance, as long as the ground stays on the slow side. Hopefully he can emulate what I did as a jockey 25 years ago, when I won the race.

"It's not missed on me, it's not missed on any of us, but Cheltenham is a brutal place as far as egos are concerned - it tames lions, does Cheltenham.

"I've been on the receiving end enough times, but he's a tough experienced handicapper who's gone the right way and he's in good form.

"He's at a great big price and he's obviously got a lot on his plate, as have all the horses that go there, but we're hopeful that he can run well."

The race will be a significant moment in Jones' career, as Minella Charmer will be her first-ever ride at Cheltenham and it continues a jumps season where she has got things back on track, following a relatively slow 2018/19.

Jones said: "I haven't ridden around there before, so I'm really looking forward to it. I won on him last time at Haydock, so that's always promising. Hopefully he can run a nice race and do us all proud.

"Obviously, it will be a big milestone in my career, just to even get a ride out there - some jockeys don't ever get that day and I'm lucky enough to work for a trainer who believes in me and owners who are backing me.

"I've had six winners this season and I just hope I can continue improving into next season."