FOR the first time in 13 years Worcestershire racehorse ow-ner Jim Lewis will be able to enjoy the social side of the Cheltenham Festival this week without the burden of having punters' money riding on his horses.

Lewis, owner of three-time Gold Cup winning legend Best Mate, was planning to run Impec and Reach For The Top at the Festival, which starts today.

However, Impec has gone lame and Reach For The Top was balloted out of its race, so Lewis says he is now looking forward to relaxing at the meeting as well as taking time to cheer on some of his friends' horses.

He said: "To go to Cheltenham, as we have done in the past with Best Mate and Edredon Bleu, is a tremendous responsibility.

"People have a lot of money on your horses. So this year I won't have that burden.

"But I will be supporting my mates' horses, including Detroit City and Denman."

Lewis, who lives in Callow End, will still be having a flutter, however, and his top Cheltenham tips are: Today: My Way De Solzen, Arkle Challenge Trophy; Detroit City, Smurfti-Kappa Champion Hurdle.

Tomorrow: Well Chief, Seasons Holidays Queen Mo-ther Champion Chase; Snowy Morning (each-way), Royal and Sun Alliance Chase.

Thursday: Inglis Drever, Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Friday: Exotic Dancer; L'Ami (each-way), Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Lewis added: "If none of these come in, I'll be in the workhouse on Monday morning!"