Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey Odds: Townend five-timer – or not?

For the last four years, Paul Townend has been top jockey at the Cheltenham Festival. No surprise, given he's the main man for Willie Mullins, who's won 12 of the last 15 trainer titles. However, I feel there's strong competition this year - particularly from a much-discussed rider who'll be sporting green and gold hoops all week.

Here's my assessment of the Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey Odds.

Paul Townend @ 6/5

The fact Paul Townend is odds-against to be top jockey at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival says a lot in itself. Plain and simply, Willie Mullins just isn't looking as dominant this season - and a significant percentage of his strongest chances are for JP McManus, and therefore won't be ridden by the 35-year-old. More on that in a moment.

Don't get me wrong, Townend will have winners. Obviously. He's got a fine chance on Kopek Des Bordes in the Arkle, and Lossiemouth wherever she goes. Bambino Fever. Doctor Steinberg. Final Demand and Il Etait Temps if they bounce back from last-time-out disappointments.

However, he's lacking a 'banker' - if ever there was such a thing - which hasn't been the case in previous years. I think he's vulnerable.

Mark Walsh @ 2/1

If anyone's going to put a stop to Paul Townend's bid for a five-timer, it's Mark Walsh who rides for the aforementioned JP McManus. For the last time, at least as retained rider, too.

Walsh's book of rides is a strong one. Very strong. He's got Majborough in the Marine Nationale-less Champion Chase, Fact To File in the Ryanair (probably), Mighty Park, Proactif, Kaid d'Authie, Honesty Policy and Oldschool Outlaw. Never mind the handicaps, which he'll no doubt feature heavily in too.

What a week it could be for the 13-time Cheltenham Festival winner.

Jack Kennedy @ 5/1

It's been a superb season for Gordon Elliott and if it continues into the Cheltenham Festival, expect to see plenty of stable jockey Jack Kennedy in the winners' enclosure.

El Cairos. Romeo Coolio. Brighterdaysahead. Ballyfad or Skylight Hustle. Wodhooh. Et cetera. Kennedy will be purring over his rides across the week and can't be discounted in race to be top jockey. I do think he'll come up short, though.

Nico de Boinville @ 14/1

There's always temptation to back Nico de Boinville in this market as he of course rides for Nicky Henderson, who is a master, and his best chances often come in the first couple of races - the Supreme and Arkle.

That's very much the case this year, with Old Park Star heading the betting for the Supreme and Lulamba vying for favouritism in the Arkle. What a start that'd be for backers at 14/1.

Away from those two, it's Jango Baie in the Gold Cup and the likes of Impose Toi in the Stayers' that De Boinville will be eyeing up as potential winners, so he'll need plenty of luck at the same time.

Harry Skelton @ 14/1

Dan Skelton's prominence on the big stage is only increasing, and therefore so are Harry Skelton's chances of being top jockey.

The New Lion in the Champion Hurdle is his big ride of the week, but don't discount the likes of Maestro Conti in the Triumph and whatever the yard sends to the County Hurdle and Coral Cup either.

Can I realistically see Harry winning more than Townend, Walsh and Kennedy? No, but weirder things have happened.

Harry Cobden @ 16/1

What price will this be next year when Harry Cobden fits into his role as JP McManus' retained rider?

For now, though, he'll be riding for boss Paul Nicholls and picking up spares, perhaps one or two in the green and gold, throughout the week. He'll need a lot of luck to amass enough winners to be in contention for top jockey, though.

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