Cheltenham Festival 2018: Top Jockey Betting

Ruby Walsh is the odds-on favourite 

Ruby Walsh has claimed the top jockey title in each of the last five Cheltenham Festivals. He’s come away from the meeting as leading jockey a total of 11 times since 1998.

The Irishman has enjoyed a stellar partnership with trainer Willie Mullins down the years. And the pair look as though they’ll combine for a number of winners at the 2018 meeting.

On the opening day, he’s expected to take up rides aboard favourites Getabird and Footpad. He also has chances with Faugheen in the Champion Hurdle and Benie Des Dieux or Let’s Dance in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle.

Later on in the week he also has highly-fancied pair Un De Sceaux in the Ryanair Chase and Djakadam in the Gold Cup. With a number of other rides booked in-between, it should come as no surprise that Walsh is odds-on favourite at 8/11 to retain his top jockey crown for another year.

While a number of his rides are odds-on favourites, nothing is a given at Cheltenham. Everyone remembers Walsh taking a tumble on Annie Power in the 2015 edition of the Mares’ Hurdle. He’s not had ideal preparation in the build-up to the Festival either. A fall at Punchestown in November aboard Let’s Dance has kept the 38-year-old out of action for nigh-on four months.

His nearest challenger in the market is one of racing’s brightest young jockeys – Jack Kennedy. The 18-year-old is second-favourite at 9/2 to walk away with the top jockey crown. He has the cream of the crop from the Gigginstown Stud to choose from. And with Gordon Elliott usually a major player at the Festival, he should fancy his chances.

He’s expected to take up rides on Apple’s Jade (Mares’ Hurdle), Dounikos (National Hunt Challenge Cup), Samcro (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle), Jury Duty and Farclas (Triumph Hurdle) among others.