NORTH Yorkshire-based permit holder Harry Hogarth is hoping to make a dream come true by adding his name to the roll of honour at the Cheltenham Festival tomorrow.

Hogarth, who is now retired after spending over 30 years working for the Prudential, is based at New Grange Farm, Stillington, near Easingwold and is in his third season with a permit.

"I've been associated with horses all my life - point-to-pointers originally - and when foot and mouth came on the scene, my three sons said I should get a permit and train," he said. "That's what I did and we've had a bit of success."

However, if everything goes according to plan and Hogarth does find himself in jump racing's most hallowed winner's circle, it will not be as a trainer but as an owner.

His representative will be Tusk, who runs in the royal blue and yellow stripes of Hogarth Racing, in the JCB Triumph Hurdle tomorrow, the opening race on Gold Cup day.

Best Mate will bid for an historic third consecutive success in chasing's blue riband event and Tusk, like the champion, is trained at Wantage by Henrietta Knight.

"We've got nine at home but Henrietta gets the best," Hogarth explained.

Useful on the Flat for Mick Channon, winning five times on fast going, Tusk has taken well to hurdles, showing progressive form in his three starts so far.

After finishing a promising fourth on his jumping bow at Sandown in early January, the chestnut gelding opened his account two weeks later at Kempton.

He improved again to score on his next start at Sandown, where he proved he could handle a soft surface.

Tusk made virtually all the running and rallied in the gamest fashion when headed briefly at the last.

"We got him from Mick Channon through Henrietta," said Hogarth. "She trains very close to Mick and he brought the horse over for a bit of schooling and a look and suggested somebody ought to buy him, so we did.

"They were very impressed with him and that's why they recommended him to us. So we thought we'd better take him and we are glad we did now.

"We've been associated with Henrietta for about seven or eight years and we have three horses with her - Over The Storm, Imperial Dream and Tusk."

Why did he not take over Tusk's training himself?

"I fancied training Tusk but my three sons said he should stay with Henrietta. So I was outvoted!" he said.

"I've had a little bit each-way at 33's and I would definitely say he has a good each-way chance."

Hogarth's eldest son Paul went to Wantage last week to see how Tusk's Cheltenham preparation was going.

"He's in fine form," Hogarth junior reported.

Best Mate's jockey Jim Culloty will be on Tusk and he will be hoping to make a winning start to tomorrow's proceedings on the apple of the Hogarth family's eye.

Updated: 10:31 Wednesday, March 17, 2004