Cheltenham Festival 2016: Imogen Pickard in dreamland fielding Mr Fizz

The dream comes true at Cheltenham tomorrow when trainer Imogen Pickard runs a horse in the Festival.

Pickard, who began as a stable lass and now has her own establishment at Kingsland near Ludlow, fields Mister Fizz in the Coral Cup.

It's her first Festival runner – and a very special one as the versatile Mister Fizz was bred and trained by the family.

"He's won four races on the Flat for me now and two out of seven Jumps," said Pickard.

"I think he's a bit bored with the Flat, he seems to prefer jumping."

Bored or not, the eight-year-old gelding showed up well in a prep Flat race at Lingfield a few days ago.

"I was very pleased with his run," added Pickard. "He was only beaten a length by the three in front of him, in the last couple of strides.

"I've done this before with him, a Flat run before a hurdles race. He needs to be race-fit, rather than just fit. That will put him spot-on for Cheltenham."

There's a chunky £45,560 on offer for the winner of the Grade Three event, but Pickard is just happy to field a Festival horse against the big guns of racehorse training.

"I'm only quite small, but you treat them as individuals," she said. "They're not just a number in the yard, they're part of the family.

"Mister Fizz is a little home-bred horse. To breed him and train him, and take him to Cheltenham is a dream come true."

To racing's authorities, the Kingsland handler is 'Miss Imogen Pickard' but the rank and file know her as 'Bundle'. "I was called 'Bundle' when I was taken out of hospital as a baby – I was just another bundle to put in the car!" she said. "It's just stuck with me. And it stands out more than 'Miss Imogen Pickard'.

Either way, Pickard's name will be on the Festival programme when jockey Sean Bowen puts the abilities of Mister Fizz to the test in front of the Cheltenham throng.

"We've done all we can for Mister Fizz, it's up to him now," she said. "He will run his little heart out. He loves a big crowd."

And her hopes for the race? The bubbly Pickard is immediately serious. "I hope he gets round and comes home safely," she said. "Same as always."