HEREFORDSHIRE jockey Richard Johnson will be hoping to add to his success at the Cheltenham Festival next week.

The 38-year-old, who lives near Pembridge, will be riding three runners at the highlight of the jumping season.

Balthazar King is tipped to do well in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase on Wednesday and heads the British challenge in a race he has won twice before.

And next Thursday, Johnson will be aboard Garde le Victoire in the JLT Novices' Chase and Village Vic in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate.

Johnson has won 35 races at Cheltenham from 248 rides and is well on course to be champion jockey for the first time.

He rode his 3,000th winner at Ludlow at the beginning of the year and is 104 rides clear of nearest challenger Aidan Coleman.

Johnson isn't the only county star who will be taking part at Cheltenham next week.

Trainer Michael Scudamore has runners on Tuesday – the opening day of the festival.

Beneden is scheduled to be in both the Ultima Handicap Chase and Amateur Riders' Novices Chase, while Kingswell Theatre is also due to be in the latter meeting.

Both horses are also set to run in meetings next Thursday, while Next Sensation, owned by Herefordshire entrepreneur Mark Blandford, will be defending his title in the Grand Annual Chase the following day.

Venetia Williams, meanwhile, is also set to have a number of riders during the week.

Best priced to do well is Arthur's Oak in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup next Friday.

A preview evening will take place at the Castle House in Hereford this Sunday, headed by Peter Scudamore.

The Mail's top tipster Sam Turner, local trainer Tom Symonds and others from the world of racing will also cast their eye over the various races.

Proceeds on the night will go towards the Injured Jockeys Fund.