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Few honours at the Cheltenham Festival carry quite the same cachet as being crowned top jockey. It’s a title earned only through consistency, nerve and a touch of brilliance across four gruelling days at jump racing’s greatest stage.
In recent years, one man has dominated the leaderboard and will be the favourite again in the Cheltenham odds. But could 2026 bring a changing of the guard?
Paul Townend
As Willie Mullins’ retained rider, Paul Townend arguably has the best job in National Hunt racing. Following Ruby Walsh was no small task, yet Townend has stepped into the role with immense composure and success. He’s currently on 38 Festival winners, including four Gold Cups since 2019, and arrives at Cheltenham bidding to be crowned top jockey for a fifth year in a row.
The 35-year-old is likely to arrive with a formidable book of rides, with possible mounts including Lossiemouth, Final Demand, Bambino Fever, Fact To File and dual Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs.
With Mullins again expected to field a powerful team across all divisions, Townend sets the benchmark for the rest.
Nico de Boinville
Top jockey in 2019, Nico de Boinville, remains the biggest danger to Townend’s crown. Retained by Nicky Henderson, de Boinville has notched 17 Festival winners and boasts more Grade 1 titles than any other current British-based jockey.
The last couple of years have been quieter by his standards, registering just a single winner, Jango Baie in the Arkle, and the setback to Champion Hurdle favourite Sir Gino has dampened some of the stable’s momentum going into the spring.
Still, de Boinville can count on competitive rides, with Old Park Star, Lulamba and Jango Baie, this time in the Gold Cup, all holding major claims.
Jack Kennedy
Former Irish champion jockey Jack Kennedy already has 12 Festival victories, including becoming the youngest ever Gold Cup-winning rider when steering Minella Indo to glory at just 21 in 2021. Now more established, more experienced and backed by a resurgent Gordon Elliott yard, Kennedy could well be a serious contender for the award in 2026.
Elliott’s team has rarely looked stronger, with the likes of El Cairos, Romeo Coolio, Wodhooh and dual Stayers’ Hurdle winner Teahupoo forming one of the most appealing sets of ammunition for any jockey in the weighing room.
Harry Cobden
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival will carry added significance for Harry Cobden, as it marks his final appearance at the meeting as Paul Nicholls’ stable jockey. The former British champion has been closely tied to Ditcheat for over a decade, but from the end of the season, he will become the retained rider for JP McManus, a role arguably second only to Paul Townend’s position with Willie Mullins.
The 27-year-old only has six Cheltenham winners to his name and is still searching for a breakthrough success in a Championship race. His strongest chance in 2026 appears to be Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle favourite No Drama This End, with Nicholls’ team otherwise looking relatively light on headline contenders.
However, that lack of depth at Ditcheat could actually work in Cobden’s favour. With his future ties already secured, he may be free to pick up spare rides, particularly early bookings for McManus, who is likely to field double-figure runners across the four days.
