Coral's jockeys to watch at Cheltenham Festival 2026

Ben Macey

Conditional Jockey to Jonjo and AJ O’Neill, Ben Macey is only at the very beginning of his career, claiming five pounds at the time of writing. He has maintained a healthy strike rate this season and has ridden 50% of his rides at Cheltenham so far to place, so it should only be a matter of time before he is in the winners’ enclosure. 

Sean Bowen

The Champion Jockey-elect, Coral ambassador Sean Bowen could be the AP McCoy of our time. Having broken 200 victories this season, he has ridden over a century more winners than the next rider in the jockeys championship and is not slowing down at this point of the season. Hoping for his 30th winner at Cheltenham, Bowen is bristling with riding ability and anything he is booked to ride is worth a look, particularly young and inexperienced horses in bumpers. 

Keep an eye out for Bowen on the likes of Resplendent Grey and Booster Bob at Cheltenham Festival this year, as well as Haiti Couleurs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

Harry Skelton

Team Skelton tend to save the best of their equine ability for the spring Festivals, and last year was no exception. Harry Skelton is the top rider at Cheltenham so far this season, having won on 11 of his 42 rides here so far this term, giving an excellent course strike rate of 26%. The stable jockey for Champion Trainer-elect brother Dan Skelton, Harry is a big threat to the other top jockeys lining up at the Festival.    

Ryan Mania

Likely to ride Triumph Hurdle contender Minella Study, Ryan Mania doesn’t often ride at Cheltenham being based in the north, but when he does, he rides well. Mania has an 18% strike rate at Prestbury Park and could bring that percentage up even higher this term, potentially bringing a rare Cheltenham winner in for a northern yard. 

Brendan Powell

The stable jockey for Coral ambassador Joe Tizzard, Brendan Powell has been the key to success with many of the yard’s winners this term. With 14 previous winners at this track to his name, Powell is well schooled on riding Cheltenham winners and looks to have every chance of being back in the winners’ enclosure this March on at least one of Tizzard’s Festival hopes. 

Keep an eye out for this rider on board the likes of Alexei, Kripticjim and Ambion View at the Cheltenham Festival this year. 

More Cheltenham betting

As well as a rundown of our longshot tips, Coral has more specific information on Cheltenham Festival, including a rundown of each day, so bettors can stay informed.

• Cheltenham Festival betting hub page

• Cheltenham Festival Tuesday betting page

• Cheltenham Festival Wednesday betting page

• Cheltenham Festival Thursday betting page

• Cheltenham Festival Friday betting page

• Coral's longsghot picks for Cheltenham Festival

View the latest Cheltenham Festival 2026 betting odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.