Here’s all you need to know for the outright market
Get more insight and previews for the Festival on our Cheltenham tips page.
With just under three weeks until Cheltenham Festival returns, money is starting to flood into the Top Jockey market.
But who is leading the betting? Can Rachael Blackmore win a historic individual honour? Just how much of a stranglehold on the Top Jockey market do the Irish have?
Dominated by the likes of Ruby Walsh in festivals gone by, being crowned Top Jockey could be seen as the pinnacle of individual awards.
Oddschecker has run the rule over one of the key markets ahead of the Greatest Show on Turf.
The contenders:
Irish-hopeful Paul Townend leads the charge at the top of the market, currently best priced 2/1 with multiple firms on the Oddschecker grids.
His compatriot Davy Russell is the second most likely to ride the most winners at this year’s Festival, currently available at 10/3 best priced with Sky Bet.
Barry Geraghty and Rachael Blackmore both follow next at 6/1, with the latter cut in from as long as 12/1 in the ante-post betting.
With the likes of Altior under his impressive portfolio, Nico De Boinville is just on the periphery of the betting at 12/1.
Blackmore backed
Rachael Blackmore is still the most popular punt to win the Top Jockey title at Cheltenham Festival this year, attracting almost a quarter of all bets over the last week.
Famous for riding the likes of Minella Indo, A Plus Tard and Monalee – Blackmore has received 21.3% of all bets through the Oddschecker grids over the last seven days.
In turn, bookies have cut odds on Blackmore reigning supreme from 12/1 into 6/1, with money continuing to come for her.
Oddschecker spokesperson Callum Wilson: “Over the last week, punters have been sniffing around the edges of the market at some of the longer priced selections.
“Gone are the days of Ruby Walsh’s dominance, and the field couldn’t be wider open for the Festival about to get underway.
“Attention on Rachael Blackmore hasn’t cooled since reported a flurry of bets on her at the end of January – and she certainly seems to be carrying the momentum going into the Festival.”
% of bets on Top Jockey in the last 7 days
Rachel Blackmore – 21.3%
Robbie Power - 16.67%
Paul Townsend - 14.58%
Mark Walsh - 10.42%
Get more insight and previews for the Festival on our Cheltenham tips page.
| Yr | Winner | Age | SP | Distance | Time | Going | Form | Rating | Trainer | Jockey | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Envoi Allen | 5 | 2/1F | 3/4L | 3.55.90 | Soft (Good to Soft in places) | 1-111 | 127 | Gordon Elliott | J J Codd | |
| 2018 | Relegate | 5 | 25/1 | 1 ½L | 4.4.10 | Soft (Heavy in places) | 11 | 120 | Willie Mullins | Katie Walsh | View |
| 2017 | Fayonagh | 6 | 7/1 | 1 ¼L | 3.51.10 | Good to Soft | 811 | 129 | Gordon Elliott | JJ Codd | View |
| 2016 | Ballyandy | 5 | 5/1 | Nse | 3.48.20 | Good | 1-121 | 136 | Nigel Twiston-Davies | Sam Twiston-Davies | |
| 2015 | Moon Racer | 6 | 9/2 | 1 1/2 L | 3.49.50 | Good | 1-1 | 140 | David Pipe | Tom Scudamore | View |
| 2014 | Silver Concorde | 6 | 16/1 | 1 ½L | 3.43.40 | Good | 3-2-1 | 140 | Dermot Weld | Robbie McNamara | View |
| 2013 | Briar Hill | 5 | 25/1 | 7L | 3.54.70 | Good/Soft | 1 | 141 | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh | |
| 2012 | Champagne Fever | 5 | 16/1 | 1 1/4L | 3.47.50 | Good | 21 | 142 | Willie Mullins | Patrick Mullins | View |
| 2011 | Cheltenian | 5 | 14/1 | 5L | 3.51.85 | Good | 21 | 138 | Philip Hobbs | Richard Johnson | |
| 2010 | Cue Card | 4 | 40/1 | 8L | 3.48.70 | Good | 1 | 138 | Colin Tizzard | Joe Tizzard | View |
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