Who will be Cheltenham Festival’s Top Jockey in 2021? Oddschecker takes a look at the market heading into the festival...
Top Jockey
The Cheltenham Festival is just around the corner and the Gloucestershire spectacle is set to feel a bit different this year without the roar of the crowd, as it is set from behind closed doors for the first time in its history.
Cheltenham is the pinnacle of racing for all jockeys, owners and trainers; in terms of accolades and prize money, it don’t come much bigger.
In betting terms, for the most part, it will feel the same for punters as backing a winner at Cheltenham will feel just as good as before, and the Top Jockey market is no different.
Cheltenham Top Jockey favourite
Paul Townend is the bookmaker’s favourite to win Top Jockey at Cheltenham this year, available at a best price of 2/5. The 30-year-old will be heading into the festival in fine form, boasting a 35% win rate in the last two weeks.
He is a regular rider on Willie Mullins’ horses and after winning the last two Gold Cups, it’s no surprise to see him sitting top of the market.
Next in the market in Jack Kennedy who is likely to be seen on horses such as Abacadabras and Envoi Allen at the Cheltenham Festival.
The 21-year-old is available at a best price of 4/1 heading into the festival and is sitting on 7 wins from 23 rides in the last fortnight.
Nico de Boinville and Rachael Blackmore are both joint third to finish the festival with the crown of top jockey, both available at a best price of 14/1.
This means the bookmakers are only giving both jockeys an implied probability of 6.7% to finish the festival as Top Jockey.
Despite this, Rachael Blackmore is the most popular bet in this market having taken 22% of all bets through oddschecker.
Who are the outsiders?
If none of the top four favourites take your fancy for Top Jockey at this year’s festival, then maybe a longer price of Mark Walsh (20/1), Aidan Coleman (25/1) or Harry Cobden (25/1) may catch your eye further down the list.
Mark Walsh would have been hoping to head into the festival in better form than of late having only won 2 of their last 24 rides.
The 34-year-old will hopefully be able to add another Cheltenham win to his collection after taking first with Aramax in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at last year’s festival.
To pick a more in-form longshot, Aidan Coleman wouldn’t be a bad shout as he is sitting on a 38% win rate in the last two weeks going into the festival. Coleman will have fond memories of Cheltenham as last year he won the Stayers’ Hurdle riding Paisley Park.
Matching Coleman’s 25/1 best price, there is also Harry Cobden sitting outside in the market. The 22-year-old has won 13 of his last 51 rides and is set to be riding third favourite Bravemansgame (7/2) in the Ballymore next Wednesday.
Cheltenham Top Jockey Odds:
- Paul Townend - 2/5
- Jack Kennedy - 4/1
- Rachael Blackmore - 14/1
- Nico de Boinville - 14/1
- Mark Walsh - 20/1
- Aidan Coleman - 25/1
- Harry Cobden - 25/1
- Harry Skeltn - 33/1
Cheltenham Top Jockey previous winners:
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Paul Townend |
| 2019 | Nico de Boinville |
| 2018 | Davy Russell |
| 2017 | Ruby Walsh |
| 2016 | Ruby Walsh |
| 2015 | Ruby Walsh |
| 2014 | Ruby Walsh |
| 2013 | Ruby Walsh |
| 2012 | Barry Geraghty |
| 2011 | Ruby Walsh |
| 2010 | Ruby Walsh |
Find all the very best expert insight and predictions for this year's Festival on our Cheltenham Tips page. For special offers and bookmaker signups head to our Cheltenham Free Bets page.
