It’s not just jockeys that will be battling for wins at the Cheltenham Festival, but trainers too.
Irish trainer Willie Mullins came out on top at last year’s meeting for the 11th time in his illustrious career. He had nine winners, one of which was Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup, and he passed the century after son Patrick rode Jasmin De Vaux to victory in the Champion Bumper.
In second and third, respectively, were Dan Skelton and Gordon Elliott, while the Irish once again dominated and took home the Prestbury Cup.
Closutton maestro Mullins is likely to dominate proceedings once again and will look to Kopek Des Bordes to kick things off in fine style in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Skelton’s best chances include The New Lion in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle and Elliott will look to Teahupoo to bag the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle for the second year in a row.
Nicky Henderson will expect to be among the winners, however, with the likes of Constitution Hill, Jonbon and Lulamba in his squad.
But which trainer has the best form at Cheltenham ahead of the four-day fiesta? We’ve already had five meetings at the track and the stats are in!
You can run the rule over the Cheltenham Festival odds on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise, here’s the form of the leading trainers at Prestbury Park this season.
Nicky Henderson
Wins: 8 Runs: 24 Strike Rate: 33% £1 Stake: +5.46
Constitution Hill was among the Seven Barrows winners when cruising to the International Hurdle in January.
Dan Skelton
Wins: 7 Runs: 34 Strike Rate: 21% £1 Stake: -10.34
The Skelton team enjoyed plenty of success at last year’s Cheltenham Festival and have continued their strong form at the track in the current term.
Nigel Twiston-Davies
Wins: 5 Runs: 32 Strike Rate: 16% £1 Stake: -10.45
Potters Charm scored twice at Cheltenham but the bubble might have burst when losing on Trials Day.
James Owen
Wins: 3 Runs: 10 Strike Rate: 30% £1 Stake: -2.20
Triumph Hurdle fancy East India Dock has led the way for the stable with two wins this term, while Burdett Road bagged the lucrative Greatwood Handicap Hurdle.
The latest racing odds are on PaddyPower.com now
