While the pressure of riding a favourite at the Cheltenham Festival is more intense than at any other point of the National Hunt season, it is a position every jockey wishes to be in.

Given the large proportion of market leaders are set to be partnered by Ruby Walsh, the maximum number of 28 riders that could potentially enjoy that very luxury can almost be halved.

Among those fortunate to be on board a supposed 'good thing' is Barry Geraghty, the man charged with steering the fast-improving Yanworth in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.

Since finishing fourth in the Champion Bumper at the showpiece meeting 12 months ago, the six-year-old has gone from strength to strength in each of his four starts over hurdles.

After winning in the gloom on his debut at Exeter, the Alan King-trained gelding has subsequently posted victory at Warwick along with a brace of Grade Two successes at Ascot and, most recently, at Cheltenham.

His commanding performance at Prestbury Park in January not only saw him leap to the head to the market of the two-mile-five-furlong contest, but left a serious impression on Geraghty.

He said: "He did it really well. He travelled brilliantly and jumped nicely. He will improve a little bit too for the experience around Cheltenham. He felt good and he quickened well.

"I was happy at every stage of the race. He took me into the race lovely and, once he jumped the last well, I knew that it would take a very good one to catch me."

One significant factor in Yanworth's effortless win last time out was the relative ease with which he saw out racing beyond two miles and a furlong for the first time.

The decision to go up in distance would have been made by King and owner JP McManus, but a significant part of it can also be credited to Geraghty, who is in his first season as retained rider in the green and gold silks.

He said: "I just felt the step up in trip would help him and thankfully it looks like it is working out. He has definitely got the pace to be smart and that is half the battle. He takes you into a race easily, which is what you want, and that is what a good horse does.

"It was his first big test, but when you have a horse like him that travels well the step up in trip always feels like you are on a winner. It's not until the last couple of furlongs that it might come undone.

"He travelled well, which you would expect, we rode him accordingly and he bounded up the hill."

Although stopping short at comparing Yanworth to the many other top-class horses he has partnered during an illustrious career in the saddle, the 36-year-old sent out a stark warning to those intent on toppling him, indicating there is still plenty more to come.

He said: "You are always delighted to see them win like that but he will have a bigger test in March so hopefully he will find it as easy in a bigger race. He is definitely giving me good vibes."