Brennan has his sights on a double at Festival

The jockey is enjoying another fine season with Nigel Twiston-Davies and, as well as Khyber Kim, the duo also have a chance of Gold Cup glory with Imperial Commander, another Cheltenham specialist.

Brennan, who was a regular on the Yorkshire jumps circuit when he was Howard Johnson's stable jockey, reports that both horses are in good form at home.

But it is Khyber Kim, twice a winner at Cheltenham already this season, having won the Greatwood and the Boylesports.com International, who excites the rider most of all.

"I think Khyber Kim has found belief in himself as he's a very talented horse," said Brennan.

"He's obviously had a big reputation and he seems to be coming good now. He's in great form and we couldn't honestly say how good he is yet. He's fascinating to ride as you never know what you're going to get, but I hope his form will stay solid and he'll run a massive race. He's very special to ride and I'll be riding my own race on the day."

The 11-runner Champion Hurdle field is headed by Go Native, who will earn connections a 1m bonus if he adds tomorrow's centrepiece to the Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdles that he won earlier this season.

One horse Brennan will not be riding, however, is Weird Al – winner of Wetherby's Towton Novices' Chase last month. The seven-year-old misses Wednesday's RSA Chase after suffering a suspected fracture of his off-fore cannon bone at trainer Ian Williams's gallops.

FERDY Murphy's stable jockey Graham Lee still expects to be fit for Cheltenham despite an injured knee, sustained in a fall on Friday, prompting him to give up two rides at Towcester yesterday.