Interview Michael HalfordBrian O'Connor talks to a trainer poised to write one of the most piquant stories of this Cheltenham week

It's three years since Charlie Swan jumped off Golden Cross's back after the Triumph Hurdle and told Michael Halford he had a horse for the Stayers Hurdle. It's taken longer than expected, and in our brave corporate era the race is now the World, but this afternoon the legendary former champion jockey will be proved right yet again. Halford for one is not surprised.

The 43-year-old trainer has guided Golden Cross back from serious injury to the verge of a first Cheltenham success and will provide one of the stories of the entire festival should he go and actually do it.

John Murtagh naturally will garner most of the headlines if that happens. After all it's not often a triple Derby-winning rider, acknowledged as one of the top flat jockeys in Europe, gets to win at jump racing's mecca. But nobody will relish it more than Halford.

Based at the Curragh, he is principally a trainer of flat horses. And a string of up to 80 for the upcoming summer game is the most important evidence of how good at it he has become since first taking out a licence in 1983. Last year yielded a best ever total of 54 winners. But this isn't some playful way of spending the long, cold winter.

"It can be heartbreaking with injuries but I love the jumping game. I rode as an amateur and it's always been there for me," he says. "We have about 12 jumpers in total and while it's fun alright, we do take it seriously as well."

Half a dozen previous runners at the festival haven't yielded a winner. Golden Cross ran third in that Triumph and though he ran in the following year's Champion Hurdle, even then Halford was thinking of today's race.

"He was only five and it would have been a year too soon. Charlie told me the Stayers was the race but it would have been too early for him," he says.

A serious leg injury ruled Golden Cross out for another year but he has been brought back patiently and now looks to be in the form of his life. A November Handicap win at Leopardstown was followed by an epic defeat to Solerina at Fairyhouse in December, and on his last start at Navan he proved his stamina in a dour victory on heavy ground.

On all three occasions he was ridden by Murtagh, who even flew from Dubai for the latter race. Now on the biggest day of all there has never been a suggestion of opting for a more experienced pilot.

"It's never been an issue. He is one of the best flat jockeys in the world and he has proved that by being so adaptable. Everywhere he has gone he has ridden winners. Cheltenham will be no different to him. The character he is, he will love it. He's a big-race rider," Halford declares.

Murtagh's adaptability has already shown itself in the speed with which he has picked up on Golden Cross's own unique approach to jumping hurdles.

"When you really ask him to go for one he can jump a bit high. It means he spends too much time in the air. He's not quick and fluent like some of them are. But if you sit quiet and let him fiddle, he is fine. Johnny lets him do that," he adds.

Halford is also happy to leave tactics to Murtagh, whose ability to think on the spot was famously illustrated by the likes of High Chapparal in the Derby and Rock Of Gibraltar in the 2,000 Guineas.

Today, instead of Hawk Wing, the opposition will include the hardy French stayer Baracouda, trying to reclaim the glory years, and Asian Maze, whose fourth-flight exit in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday could allow her compete for the second time this week.

"It wasn't the worst news when I heard she was missing this and going for the Champion instead," acknowledges Halford. "I have a lot of respect for her. As for Baracouda, I just wonder about his age. He's the class act of the race though and if he finds his form he will win. Mighty Man is fancied too."

As he reels through the opposition, however, there is no indication of anything but quiet confidence in his own horse.

"He's the class act over two miles and he showed at Navan he stays," Halford argues. "He is adaptable tactically. We won't make the running but we also don't need to ride him to get the trip. I think he must have a very good chance." Mind you, the Irish Times columnist was telling him that three years ago.