A promising jump jockey faces an anxious wait to see if she can compete in this year’s running of the ‘Amateur Gold Cup’.

Sam Drake, of Guiseley, is heading down to Cheltenham Festival hoping to have secured a place in the famous Foxhunters Chase with her horse, Optimistic Harry, for the race on Friday, run over the same course and distance as the Gold Cup.

Miss Drake, 23, who has had several winners this season, is heading to the festival which began yesterday and is trying to remain as optimistic as Harry.

She is on the reserve list and is hoping other horses pull out to give her a run for the first time. “It’s quite exciting, but I’m not sure he’s going to get in,” she said.