Cheltenham Festival 2020: Top Trainers and Jockeys

The Cheltenham Festival is nearly upon us and for the next few days, punters will be getting stuck into the betting markets as they look to finalise their bets on the top jockeys and trainers around. At the same time, whilst many will be looking across the 28 races for the week - seeking those big priced winners - the Cheltenham Festival odds also bring numerous other markets that punters can get involved in.

From the Cheltenham Festival 'Total Winning Distances' to the 'Biggest Winning SP', punters are spoiled for choice with what they choose to bet on. Two of those markets to bet on will be the 'top trainer' and 'top jockey' at the Cheltenham Festival. Here, we take a look to see how Sky Bet have priced the markets up ahead of the biggest week in horse racing.

ICYMI: Read our top three races to watch and the odds at Cheltenham Festival this year.

Willie Mullins has been backed for his seventh success, as he has been top trainer at the festival on six occasions, including four wins in a row between 2013 and 2016 and regained his title last year following Gordon Elliot’s wins in 2017 and 2018.

Sky Bet have priced the Irish maestro at 11/10 to regain his crown. It’s not difficult to see why, with Mullins having many live chances across the four days, including the odds on favourite Benie Des Dieux for the Mares Hurdle on Day One and saddles current Gold Cup favourite, Al Boum Photo.

The 63-year-old also has many other chances across the week, such as Asterion Forlonge in the opening race, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Appreciate It, in the Champion Bumper. It’s no surprise to see Mullins so short for another title, with his history and set of jockeys all notable strong elements this Cheltenham Festival.

ICYMI: Read our preview and the odds the Presbury Cup between Great Britain and Ireland.

If Willie Mullins is going to train all the winners, he needs someone to ride them. The Cheltenham festival of 2020 will be strange to many due to the absence of Ruby Walsh, who announced his retirement in April, ending his time as Mullins’ number one jockey.

With Walsh gone, Paul Townend has stepped up to the plate, and with Sky Bet making Mullins a short-priced favourite, they also install Townend as a 2/1 favourite for the top jockey at Cheltenham Festival.

As mentioned, Benie Des Dieux is odds on for day one success and is one of Townend’s best chances of a winner on the week. The Irish jockey won’t have all of Mullins’ top rides, however, as Patrick Mullins and Danny Mullins are getting opportunities. However, Townend will be hoping he can cash in amongst the big Grade One’s.

For many, Mullins and Townend will be good enough or some may even look at Gordon Elliot, who is 9/4 with Sky Bet. Elliot's jockey, Davy Russell, is 10/3 to be crowned top jockey, however, there could be some value to be had below the market. Henry De Bromhead goes to the Cheltenham Festival this year with his strongest ever team and with his jockey Rachael Blackmore, the pair could be in for a good week.

Sky Bet make De Bromhead 10/1 to be top trainer, whilst punters can get 6/1 about Blackmore to ride the most winners. The pair enjoyed some success last year with Minella Indo winning the Albert Bartlett and A Plus Tard winning the Close Brothers handicap.

The two will be hoping they can be successful again, with A Plus Tard favourite for the Ryanair, whilst Minella Indo looks sure to go close in the RSA Chase. Along with them two, stable star Honeysuckle will tackle Benie Des Dieux in the Mares Hurdle, the pair have Arkle Chase favourite Notebook and Aspire Tower, who goes to the Triumph Hurdle with a live chance.