Top Jockey – Cheltenham 2017 Tips

52 winners. 10-times leading jockey. 8/11 to do it again.

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby
There’s only one Ruby Walsh. There’s no certainties in horse racing but if Ruby Walsh can stay sound for the week of Cheltenham…

it would be amazing if he wasn’t being crowned Leading Jockey at The Festival for the 11th time on Friday evening.

With a few of his hot pots gone by the wayside, Walsh is unlikely to reach the dizzy heights of seven winners from last year but he has won it on four and even with just three winners,

Noel Fehily & Mark Walsh
Three winners is the career total for Noel Fehily at the Cheltenham Festival and he is 6/1 to ride more winners than anyone else there this week. Mark Walsh, still in search of a first ever Cheltenham Festival winner, is the 5/1 second favourite.

Both of those jockeys can look forward to a good week. Fehily has the likes of Buevir D’air, Unowhatimeanharry and Neon Wolf to look forward to, while Walsh is aboard Movewiththetimes Yanworth, Jer’s Girl, Jezki and Cantlow and is probably a worthy second favourite given his association with JP McManus.

Bryan Cooper
Bryan Cooper reached the pinnacle last year in winning the Gold Cup and he certainly can be optimistic of a good week. Petit Mouchoir in the Champion Hurdle, Apple’s Jade has to have a strong chance, Sub Lieutenant in the Ryanair and Empire Of Dirt or Outlander in the Gold Cup. Add in the likes of Tombstone and Dinaria Des Obeaux and you’ve a very strong team to look forward to so Cooper could be popular in the market at 8/1.

Davy Russell
Davy Russell has ridden a winner at the meeting for the last 11 years in a row. As a freelance he will have his work cut out to come out on top but 25/1 does look a shade on the big side if things were to click for him.

The fact of the matter is that Ruby Walsh is probably unlikely to be as dominant this season but it’s very easy to make a case for him riding four winners and history suggests that would be enough to retain the crown and as 8/11 shots go, there’s probably worse prospects at that price.

Recommended Bet:
Cheltenham Top Jockey- Ruby Walsh (8/11)

*Prices correct at time of publication.