Bet365 has analysed the winners from every race at Cheltenham from the last 14 years to create a Jockeys League Table - revealing the most prolific riders across the last decade and a half. It might just help you with who to back at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.*
*Methodology involved analysing the data from all races run at Cheltenham from 2010 to
2023 and assigning each jockey with 3 points for every win, 2 points for 2nd place, and 1
point for 3rd.
Reigning Gold Cup champion and multiple Cheltenham leading rider Paul Townend, emerged as the frontrunner with 151 points, holding a slender lead of five points over the legendary Ruby Walsh, who has since retired. Townend continued his fine form at the Festival with a fabulous five winners and four 2nds at the Festival in 2023.
As the top rider in three of the previous four years, Townend lead the betting at 2/5
at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival to be top jockey once again, making him a clear favourite to make use of the incredible fire power Willie Mullins provides him at Cheltenham.
Whilst he is yet to secure a win in Tuesday's Feature race, The Champion Hurdle, he rides State Man in this year’s opening day of the festival who looks to continue his fine season and capture yet another Grade One.
Moving down the list of jockeys, you’ll have to wait until sixth for the next jockey racing at Cheltenham this year, as the retired Barry Geraghty, Davy Russell, and AP McCoy fill the 3rd, 4th and 5th spot. Amassing 126, 115 and 72 points respectively.
Russel claiming top jockey himself in 2018, riding 4 winners.
Only assessing those who are riding in this year's festival, Nico de Boinville claimed sixth spot with 64 points. With top jockey odds of 8/1, he is a serious contender for the coveted top rider award, with his horse Sir Gino currently heading the market for the Triumph Hurdle as short priced favourite, he looks sure to be on the winners board again this year.
Closely following him in seventh place is the trailblazing Rachael Blackmore with 56 points. The first woman to ever win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Blackmore denied a 4-straight top rider award for Townend in 2021 due to her brilliant display. Scoring a huge 6 winners, the most of any jockey since Ruby Walsh (7) in 2016.
Rounding off the top 10 for the Jockeys League Table at Cheltenham 2024 are the 2021 Gold Cup winner Jack Kennedy and Daryl Jacob.
The former is set to ride two strong looking favourites in Teahupoo (Stayer's Hurdle) and Brighterdaysahead (Mares' Novice Hurdle) as Gordon Elliott unleashes a powerful looking team at Prestbury Park this year. Jack Kennedy looks one to keep onside with the pick of the Elliott battalion at his finger tips.
Find more Cheltenham Festival Betting Tips at Bet365.
