Top Cheltenham Festival jockey odds: Townend to show true worth?

Who will ride the most winners at the Cheltenham Festival?

We’re taking a look at the top Cheltenham Festival jockey odds to see which riders are expected to shine at this season’s four-day spectacular.

Ruby Walsh once dominated this award, claiming five straight victories from 2013 to 2017 to make it nine wins in 10 years and 11 overall.

No pilot has secured back-to-back triumphs since his retirement, though, so some punters may be willing to take on this term’s hot favourite.

PAUL TOWNEND @ 1/2

The defending champion was on board five winners 12 months ago and will again have the pick of the Willie Mullins armada crossing over the Irish Sea. Townend did come in for criticism from the Closutton maestro over some of his riding at the recent Dublin Racing Festival but all that will be forgotten if he delivers the goods again at Cheltenham. With 22 Festival strikes on the board, the 32-year-old has the experience to know what is required and will be reunited with old friends like Energumene, State Man and Allaho.

NICO DE BOINVILLE @ 9/2

Nicky Henderson’s stable jockey took top honours in 2019 with just three winners but has posted 15 career victories overall. A stalwart of the Seven Barrows set-up who is regularly hailed for his work on the schooling grounds in educating future stars, De Boinville has enjoyed some memorable moments at Prestbury Park on the likes of Sprinter Sacre, Altior and Shishkin. The last-named is fancied to win the Ryanair Chase after returning to form last time out, while Champion Hurdle hotpot Constitution Hill looks an early banker.