Who is favourite to win the Top Jockey and Trainer at Cheltenham Festival 2026.
The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of the National Hunt calendar, where the sport’s very best jockeys and trainers battle for glory across four days and 28 races. Each year, the festival crowns a Top Jockey - the rider with the most wins, earning the coveted Ruby Walsh Trophy - and a Top Trainer, the mastermind saddling the most winners.
In 2026, all eyes are on Paul Townend, the five-time leading rider and Willie Mullins’ star jockey, who boasts 38 Festival wins and a potent book of rides, from Arkle favourite Kopek Des Bordes to Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle standout Bambino Fever.
On the training side, Willie Mullins remains the benchmark, closing in on 125 Cheltenham winners and fielding a squad capable of dominating the week once again, while Gordon Elliott and Dan Skelton lurk as genuine challengers with horses ready to fire at Prestbury Park.
Top Cheltenham Festival Jockey Odds
| Jockey | Best Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Townend | 5/4 | Betfred |
| Mark Walsh | 9/4 | Betway |
| Jack Kennedy | 13/2 | PricedUP |
| Harry Skelton | 16/1 | PricedUP |
| Harry Cobden | 25/1 | William Hill |
Odds correct as of 10:30 on 09/03/2026
Who is The Favourite to Win Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey?
Paul Townend
Stable jockey to Willie Mullins, Paul Townend is once again the man they all have to beat in the race for Top Jockey. A five-time leading rider at the Festival - including every year since 2022 - he has amassed 38 winners at the meeting, more than any active jockey. His 2026 book includes major contenders such as Kopek Des Bordes in the Arkle, Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle picture and the red-hot Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle favourite Bambino Fever. Although Mullins may not look quite as dominant this season, Townend still has strength in depth and another big week could see him extend his remarkable run.
Mark Walsh
Retained rider to leading owner JP McManus, Mark Walsh heads into what will be his final Cheltenham Festival in the role with a formidable set of rides. A 13-time Festival winner, Walsh could have live chances across the week with the likes of Majborough in the Champion Chase, Mighty Park in the Supreme and Fact To File, likely to feature in the Ryanair. With McManus’ powerful squad again strongly represented - particularly in handicaps - Walsh looks the most credible challenger to Townend and could be set for a standout farewell.
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Jack Kennedy
Stable jockey for Gordon Elliott, Jack Kennedy brings a wealth of big-race experience despite still being in the early stages of his career. He already boasts 12 Cheltenham Festival winners and famously landed the 2021 Gold Cup aboard Minella Indo at just 21, becoming the youngest rider in the modern era to win the race. With Elliott’s yard enjoying a strong campaign, Kennedy is set to partner several leading contenders including El Cairos in the Supreme, Romeo Coolio in the Arkle, Brighterdaysahead in the Champion Hurdle and Teahupoo in the Stayers’ Hurdle, giving him genuine claims of making a serious impact on the leaderboard.
Nico de Boinville
The stable jockey to Nicky Henderson, Nico de Boinville has 17 Cheltenham Festival victories to his name and was crowned leading rider at the meeting in 2019. His best opportunities this year may come early in the week, with Old Park Star heading the betting for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Lulamba a leading contender for the Arkle. De Boinville also has notable rides later in the Festival, including Jango Baie in the Gold Cup, but a fast start could be crucial if he is to challenge the Irish heavyweights for the title.
Harry Skelton
Former British champion jockey Harry Skelton continues to spearhead the rapidly rising operation of his brother, trainer Dan Skelton. Skelton has ridden 10 Cheltenham Festival winners and arrives in 2026 on the back of the most successful season of the yard’s history. His headline chance could come aboard The New Lion, one of the leading contenders for the Champion Hurdle, while other notable rides include L’eau Du Sud in the Champion Chase and Grey Dawning in the Gold Cup. If the Skelton stable’s momentum continues onto the Festival stage, Harry could yet play a prominent role in the Top Jockey standings.
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Top Cheltenham Festival Trainer Odds
| Trainer | Best Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Willie Mullins | 1/4 | Ladbrokes |
| Gordon Elliott | 8/1 | AKBets |
| Dan Skelton | 16/1 | BetMGM |
| Nicky Henderson | 16/1 | AKBets |
Odds correct as of 10:30 on 09/03/2026
Who is Favourite to Win Top Cheltenham Festival Trainer?
Willie Mullins
The benchmark in the Cheltenham Festival Top Trainer market once again, Willie Mullins arrives at the 2026 meeting having saddled a record-equalling 10 winners at last year’s Festival. The Closutton powerhouse is closing in on 125 Cheltenham victories overall and has dominated the meeting in recent years, making him a prohibitively short price to repeat the feat. While the season has been slightly quieter by his lofty standards, the depth of his squad remains formidable and he holds leading contenders across the week, including Lossiemouth and Gaelic Warrior. With runners in almost every race and a proven ability to peak his horses for March, Mullins remains the trainer all others must try to topple.
Gordon Elliott
Few trainers head into Cheltenham in stronger seasonal form than Gordon Elliott, whose Cullentra yard has enjoyed an excellent campaign and currently rivals Mullins in the Irish Trainers’ Championship with more than 160 winners. Elliott endured a frustrating Festival last year, only opening his account in the closing Martin Pipe, but his 2026 squad looks considerably deeper. The likes of Romeo Coolio, Brighterdaysahead and Favori De Champdou headline a powerful team, while his strong numerical presence across the programme gives him a realistic chance of mounting a serious challenge - particularly in markets excluding Mullins.
Dan Skelton
Dan Skelton has dominated the British Trainers’ Championship race this season and arrives at Cheltenham with his yard in outstanding form. Despite that domestic success, Festival glory proved harder to come by last year with just a single winner - The New Lion in the Turners - and the Warwickshire handler will be eager to improve on that tally. The New Lion returns as a leading Champion Hurdle contender, while L’Eau Du Sud is prominent in the Champion Chase betting and Panic Attack could feature in the Mares’ Chase. With a deep squad and strong handicap contenders likely to be aimed at the meeting, Skelton could be poised for his most productive Festival yet.
Nicky Henderson
Seven Barrows maestro Nicky Henderson remains one of Cheltenham’s most accomplished Festival trainers and boasts a consistently high strike rate at the meeting. His preparation this year has not been without setbacks - most notably the injury to Champion Hurdle favourite Sir Gino - yet Henderson still brings a team packed with quality. Supreme Novices’ Hurdle contender Old Park Star is among the most exciting prospects of the opening day, while Lulamba heads towards the Arkle and Jango Baie is a notable Gold Cup player. Even in a challenging season, Henderson’s renowned ability to prime horses for Cheltenham ensures his runners always command respect.
Cheltenham Festival Day 1 looks set to be an absolute classic, if you are looking for other Sporting News, then head on over to The Sporting News who are also covering the festival alongside all major sports.
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