A horse named after an Eighties disco hit provides the best chance for a Sussex-trained triumph at the Cheltenham Festival next week.

Storrington handler Richard Rowe runs course-and-distance winner Native New Yorker in the last race, the County Hurdle.

Rowe said: "He's named after the song the group Odyssey had in the charts. I remember dancing to Native New Yorker in my clubbing days. It's fun to have a horse which reminds me of my youth.

"We have had Native New Yorker since he was a five-year-old after he won a bumper in Ireland.

"He just got beat in his initial novice hurdle at Chepstow and is lightly raced for his age because of minor problems with his joints."

Preparations for the big day have gone well because last time out Native New Yorker won impressively over the same extended two miles as the County Hurdle at Cheltenham a few weeks ago.

Rowe said: "The race was run to suit us. They went pretty quick and Leighton Aspell, who rode him, was able to drop him out and get him relaxed.

"With two flights to jump he quickened up nicely and won well.

"All races at the Festival are run at a fast pace and Native New Yorker's jumping will not let him down."

Rowe's concern is the pre-parade at Cheltenham. Native New Yorker, aged eight, owned by retired businessman John Synes and wife Anne, is a nervous horse. Travelling overnight to Haydock last year he was in a lather on race day.

This time the horse will leave his Storrington stable early in the morning and the trainer will ask permission to saddle him in the racecourse stables away from all the noise and bustle.

Rowe said: "Once he is on the track he is fine. We will bring him into the parade ring at the last moment and he'll be one of the first to go out."

Stable jockey Barry Fenton might miss the ride. He received a suspension at Fontwell last Monday, which would rule him out of Cheltenham, but he is planning to appeal.

Rowe said: "I'm supporting his appeal more on principle than the fact that it is Cheltenham next week.

"If the appeal fails, Leighton Aspell will ride Native New Yorker and he could be a real super sub."

Sheena West, training at Lewes, is looking forward to her first Cheltenham Festival runner next week.

She saddles Its Wallace Junior in the Triumph Hurdle for four-year-olds which opens the programme on Gold Cup Day nextThursday. Jamie Goldstein, son of Sheena's near neighbour and former jockey Ray Goldstein, is booked to ride.

GUS Brown, 28, twice champion jump jockey in the United States, will achieve a life-time ambition when he rides Saitensohn in the Royal and Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The horse, trained by Jonjo O'Neill, has been bought by an American owner for whom Brown has ridden in the past.

Brown said: "I have spent a fascinating three or four weeks over here riding for various trainers and have had four racecourse rides as well.

"To actually ride in a race at the Festival will be a great climax to a wonderful visit to the UK."

Former leading jump jockey Adrian Maguire, who was forced to retire at the age of 30 with a serious neck injury, is to hold a testimonial year it has been announced.

Maguire, who rode over 1,000 career winners, will kick off the celebrations at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday when he will meet racegoers at a stand positioned close to the Arkle statue above the paddock between 11.00am and 12.30 pm.

The Adrian Maguire Testimonial Committee has announced a series of events to pay tribute to the Irishman including a trio of gala dinners at Newcastle (June 2), Galway (July 31) and London (date to be advised).

Rhinestone Cowboy headed a field of 18 left in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at yesterday's confirmation stage for the feature event on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.