Cheltenham Top Jockeys

Russell remains among the contenders in 2019, with Nico De Boinville and Paul Townend rounding out the top six in the betting.

Ruby Walsh – 11/4

Walsh’s partnership with Irish supremo Willie Mullins usually makes him the favourite to be named Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey. And there’s no change in 2019.

The Irishman has been blessed with plenty of hotpot favourites down the years. They’ve contributed to him being named Top Jockey 11 times since 2004, and on nine occasions in the last 11 years.

The 39-year-old will have the pick of Mullins’ runners at the Cheltenham Festival. That means he’s guaranteed to be on board a number of the week’s leading favourites.

However, that list isn’t as extensive as it once was. Footpad in the Champion Chase and Bellshill in the Gold Cup are among his chances, along with Laurina in the hotly-contested Champion Hurdle.

Barry Geraghty – 10/3

Geraghty’s partnership with leading owner J. P. McManus means the Meathman is guaranteed a number of top rides from the likes of Nicky Henderson, Nick Gifford and Joseph O’Brien.

His 2019 Cheltenham Festival playbook could include the likes of Buveur D’Air in the Champion Hurdle, Champ in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle and Defi Du Seuil in the JLT Novices’ Chase.

All three are favourites in their respective races. And that’s without potential engagements in the Gold Cup with Anibale Fly, Epatante in the Dawn Run and Birchdale in the Albert Bartlett.

The Irishman is guaranteed to pick up a number of other interesting rides in between. He’ll fancy his chances of adding to his Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey crowns from 2012 and 2003.

Jack Kennedy – 11/2

Kennedy is the young pretender to the likes of Walsh, Russell and Geraghty, and he’s certainly not one to be taken lightly in the 2019 Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey betting.

He showed that at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival, where he rode four winners and only missed out on the Top Jockey award by virtue of countback after finishing level with Russell.

He’ll be hoping to go one better this year. His partnership with Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown will give him plenty of opportunities to become the Top Jockey for the first time.

Second-favourite Apple’s Jade in the Champion Hurdle, and Battleoverdoyen in the Ballymore and the returning Samcro, will be among Kennedy’s best chances. Don Poli and Shattered Love are just two of his potential rides in the Gold Cup.

Davy Russell – 9/2

After emerging as the Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey for the first time in 2018, Russell will be eager to retain his award this time around.

He has plenty of chances. Not least with Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite, Presenting Percy, who returned to action with a lovely win in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in January.

Delta Work in the RSA Chase is his other big chance, although the Youghal native will pick up plenty of rides for numerous English and Irish trainers as well as a number for Gigginstown.

Jockeys with an outside chance

Nico De Boinville is next best for a shot at Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey at 8/1. He should be guaranteed one winner at least with Altior in the Champion Chase, with Santini being another big chance in the RSA Chase.

Supreme favourite Angels Breath is among his other chances, while Might Bite will be hoping to go one better in the Gold Cup after finishing runner-up in the renewal 12 months ago.

Paul Townend (12/1) and Daryl Jacob (20/1) should pick up a number of decent rides, although it’s Mark Walsh’s connection with Joseph O’Brien which interests us at 25/1.

The Irishman has Sir Erec and Le Richebourg among his main contenders and with a couple of surprise wins along the way could challenge the main contenders.

Richard Johnson (20/1), Harry Cobden (25/1), Noel Fehily (33/1), Robbie Power (33/1) and Rachael Blackmore (100/1) are among the Top Jockey outsiders.

Recent Top Jockey winners

The Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey winners list is dominated by one man – Ruby Walsh. The 39-year-old has won the title a record 11 times.

Other famous names to have claimed the award include Mick Fitzgerald, Tony McCoy, Richard Dunwoody and Peter Scudamore.

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