Cheltenham Top Jockey: Are you backing against Ruby Walsh?

With the 2017 Cheltenham Festival just around the corner the anticipation is rising ahead of the four-day event at Prestbury Park.

And while much of the talk surrounds the equine talent set to be on show, there’s also the not insignificant matter of the Top Jockey accolade to ponder.

Ruby Walsh has been the Festival’s leading rider in each of the last four years and 10 times in total.

But at odds of just 1/2, is he worth taking on ahead of the latest edition?

While he’ll be denied the services of Annie Power, Faugheen, Min and Getabird, the Irish jockey will still have some pretty powerful ammunition underneath him.

Trainer Willie Mullins currently has seven outright Cheltenham favourites and Walsh could well fill his boots once again.

However, there are alternatives to consider.

Noel Fehily is next best at 8/1 with Arkle hotpot Altior and Neptune Novices’ Hurdle player Neon Wolf among the leading lights he’s set to partner.

Walsh’s compatriot Bryan Cooper (10/1) is also worth a mention given his connection with the likes of Mares’ Hurdle contender Apple’s Jade and late Champion Hurdle entry, Tombstone.

Elsewhere, Sam Twiston-Davies (10/1) could find himself in the reckoning should some of Paul Nicholls’ or his father’s big guns fire while British champion jockey Richard Johnson is 14/1 to take the Top Jockey prize for the first time since 2002.

And finally, teenage sensation Jack Kennedy is an eye-catching 25/1 to announce his arrival on the big stage in style.

Click here for the latest Cheltenham Festival 2017 Top Jockey odds.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing