Townend will claim the Rolex Grand Slam if he wins in Badminton after winning two of the three competitions required to claim the Rolex Grand Slam title – Burghley and Kentucky.

Speaking about his rise to world number one, Townend said: "It's very good.

"I like the sound of that.

"It has been a while.

"I only had a fleeting spell as number one once upon a time, and especially to knock someone [Michael Jung] off who has been there for so long is very, very good."

The 36-year-old will ride Ballaghmor Class and Cooley SRS this week, who he rode to success at Burghley in 2017 and the recent European Championship.

Townend revealed recently that Cooley had recovered extremely well following long spells out with injury.

"I have had him since he was four, he has won at nearly every level and never lets us down," he said.

"He’s suffered with injuries in the past and at some points we weren’t sure if he would even come through, but the last two seasons he has been amazing, he’s always been cheeky and extremely talented so it’s great to be here with him."

The Rolex Grand Slam has only been won twice since its inception with Germany’s three-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Jung, who is competing in Badminton this week, taking the title in 2016, 13 years after Britain’s Pippa Funnell did so in 2003.

This will be Townend’s second shot at the title after failing to win it in 2010.

He had looked set to win it after victories in Badminton and Burghley in 2009 but a fall in the 2010 Kentucky event meant he missed out.

Winners of the Rolex Grand Slam receive an extra $350,000 (£250,000/€300,000) in addition to their winnings from each event which is £100,000 ($135,000/€115,000) at Badminton.

The event is due to conclude on Sunday (May 7).