The hottest jockeys: five to follow at the Cheltenham Festival

The Cheltenham Festival is a meeting like no other and there are jockeys who thrive in the heat of battle and the pressure-cooker atmosphere. A festival winner is not easily earned but some riders make it look comparatively straightforward. Here are some jockeys to note for the big meeting.

Nico de Boinville

He burst on to the Cheltenham stage with victory on Whisper in the 2014 Coral Cup, but he truly put his name in the headlines when producing a bold front-running ride to win the Gold Cup on Coneygree in 2015.

Since he became first jockey to Nicky Henderson, De Boinville has produced results on a number of high-profile rides, including Sprinter Sacre and Altior in the 2016 and 2018 Queen Mother Champion Chases, and Might Bite in a nerve-wracking RSA Chase two years ago.

Once again the 29-year-old jockey looks poised for another set of stellar rides, including Angels Breath in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Grade 1 hurdle winner Santini in the RSA.

Ruby Walsh

The Irish maestro has been leading jockey at the festival an astonishing 11 times in the last 15 years and looks likely to have another profitable four days.

The 39-year-old jockey is the most successful rider in the Stayers' Hurdle, having won it five times with Big Buck's and Nichols Canyon, and could make it a record-breaking sixth victory with the wonderful Faugheen. Other leading rides include Min in the Champion Chase, and Laurina in the Champion Hurdle.

Last year's meeting included victory in the Arkle and Mares' Hurdle but was brought to a halt after a fall on Al Boum Photo in the RSA resulted in a broken leg.

Barry Geraghty returns to the winner's enclosure after Forpadydeplasterer's memorable success in the Arkle in 2009Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster

Barry Geraghty

Given JP McManus's incredibly strong hand for the festival, Barry Geraghty could be the man to follow.

The Irishman could be set for a strong opening day and has the ride on Buveur D'Air in the Champion Hurdle.

The strength in depth does not decrease as the week goes on, however, as Geraghty will have the choice of Birchdale or Dickie Diver in the Albert Bartlett and Epatante in the Mares' Novice Hurdle too.

Davy Russell

Crowned the leading jockey at last year's meeting, Russell, yet another Irish star rider, has the most intriguing ride of the festival – Presenting Percy in the Gold Cup on Friday.

The Pat Kelly-trained star was a seven-length winner of the RSA last season with Russell on board but has not been sighted since, except for a win in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle in January. Russell's talent in the saddle is undoubted but he will have to use all his experience on the joint-favourite.

The former Gigginstown-retained jockey is no one-trick pony, however, and has a quality book of rides throughout the four days and last year's four victories are testament to his talent.

Jack Kennedy celebrates after winning the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on Veneer Of CharmCredit: Patrick McCann

Jack Kennedy

Jack Kennedy, youngest among this line-up, was another Irish talent to burst on to the scene, with the 25-1 surprise shot Labaik in the Supreme.

The young jockey showed great coolness last year with four winners, including two Grade 1 victories on Shattered Love and Samcro, and has an arguably stronger hand this year with Apple's Jade leading the way. It would be no shock to see Kennedy crowned leading jockey at Cheltenham either this year or in years to come.

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