Anna Bunina will head a small team for John McConnell at the Cheltenham festival this week.

The Stamullen handler expects to have six runners at the festival meeting with the mare lining up in the Pertemps Network Final on Thursday.

Lieutenant Mayne also holds an entry in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper on Wednesday.

"I think we will have six (at Cheltenham) - we are very much outsiders in the races," said McConnell.

"More than likely Anna Bunina will go for the Pertemps, we think it is her best chance of actually winning. If she stays the three miles, she could run a big race.

"My horse in the bumper, Lieutenant Mayne, is a lovely horse. If he gets in, he will run a nice race.

"The others are going there doing their best, but it is very competitive. It is nice to be going over with a few anyway."

McConnell has been well represented on the all-weather at Dundalk over the winter and has picked out races for some of his team at Chelmsford on Good Friday towards the end of the month:-

"We are going to Chelmsford on Good Friday - there is a 1m6f race for Noble Crusade there and Mulgrave will go there as well.

"Chelmsford might suit Mulgrave better than Lingfield, he was a bit unlucky there last year (Easter). The race is framed beautifully for him - it is a 66-82, I think.

"Yokkell could also go."