Tony McCoy's bid to become the leading rider at next week's Cheltenham Festival for the third time received a boost yesterday as Paul Nicholls confirmed riding plans for two of the big races.

With McCoy's principal employers, owner JP McManus and trainer Jonjo O'Neill, apparently unlikely to be represented in many of next week's biggest races, the door has been opened for the champion jockey to take several outside rides.

Nicholls has stepped in to book the rider for Great Travel (Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase) and Le Roi Miguel (Daily Telegraphy Festival Trophy).

''We've decided that Ruby (Walsh) will ride L'Ange au Ciel and Thisthatandtother and AP's going to ride Great Travel and Le Roi Miguel,'' said Nicholls.

''Great Travel worked for the first time this morning in a tongue strap and we're hoping it will help him as he seemed to empty out at Sandown last time. He might well have a breathing operation at the end of the season.

''Ruby's opted to ride L'Ange au Ciel because he was impressed with him last time. He's working well and although we weren't sure at first about whether he was better over two miles or further, we think he's got enough speed for the Grand Annual.

''In the Daily Telegraph race, both horses ought to have a good chance.

''Thisthatandtother ought to appreciate the smaller field it looks like there will be and he has run really well at Cheltenham this season.

''It looks like he wants a trip now and next year we'll probably be trying him over three miles.

''Le Roi Miguel ran a really big race at Huntingdon and at his best he would also be right there. I just wonder if he might prefer a flatter track, like Aintree.''

Running his thumb over the rest of his team for Cheltenham, Nicholls singled out ante-post Foxhunter Chase favourite Sleeping Night as one of his best chances for the week.

The trainer, who also saddles dual winner of the race, 14-year-old Earthmover, said: ''He's got his own way of jumping and he does get a bit low but he's jumped round Wetherby and Auteuil a few times and I'm not worried about Cheltenham for him.

''On good ground he'll be fine but I wouldn't want it to get too soft, whereas that wouldn't bother Earthmover so much.''

Meanwhile, Channel 4 are gearing up for their most in-depth coverage yet of the Festival, starting this weekend with a Sunday Morning Line preview show at 8.25am.

There will then be an hour-long Morning Line every day of the Festival, starting at 8.30am, with coverage of racing starting at 1pm, with highlights being screened each evening.

For the first time, the highlights will be repeated at 6.10am the following morning.

Punters will be able to study video form guides whenever they like, via Channel 4's interactive service available on digital satellite Sky channel 104.