Top Jockey and Trainer Partnerships to Follow at Cheltenham 2026

The Cheltenham Festival is a four-day chess match played at 30 miles per hour over 28 gruelling obstacles. While the horses get the glory, seasoned punters know that the real edge lies in the unspoken chemistry between the trainer who prepares the athlete and the jockey who navigates the Prestbury Park cauldron. 

As we look ahead to the 2026 Cheltenham Festival (March 10-13), the betting markets are already heating up. To find true value, you need to look beyond the form figures and into the data behind the game’s most formidable partnerships. 

From the Mullins Monopoly to the tactical brilliance of the Skelton brothers, here are the top jockey and trainer combinations to follow this year. 

1. The Powerhouse: Willie Mullins & Paul Townend

It is impossible to discuss Cheltenham without starting at Closutton. Willie Mullins is the most successful trainer in the Festival history, recently surpassing the 100-winner mark and sitting on a staggering 113 wins. 

While Mullins spreads his talent across several jockeys, his partnership with Paul Townend is the gold standard. Townend, who famously rode six winners in 2024 and ten for the stable in 2025, is the man for the big occasion. 

• The Stats: Mullins has a strike rate hovering around 15-18% at the Festival. However, backing every Mullins runner unquestioningly often leads to a negative Level Stakes Profit (LSP) because his horses are frequently over-bet. 
• The 2026 Edge: This year, keep a close eye on Fact To File in the Gold Cup. The partnership has been clinical in prep runs, and Townend’s ability to settle a horse in the Cheltenham roar is second to none. 
• When to Back: Look for them in the Mares’ Hurdle and the Champion Bumper. Mullins has won 15 of the 21 races restricted to mares at the Festival, often with Townend steering the first string. 

2. The Profit Makers: Henry de Bromhead & Rachael Blackmore

If Mullins provides the quantity, Henry de Bromhead provides the clinical quality. The Holy Trinity of 2021, winning the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, and Gold Cup in a single week, proved that when de Bromhead has one right, they are almost unbeatable. 

• The Stats: De Bromhead has amassed 25 Festival wins. Crucially for bettors, Rachael Blackmore remains one of the few top-tier jockeys to show a consistent positive Level Stakes Profit. Following Blackmore at Cheltenham would have returned an LSP of +10.66 in recent years. 
• The 2026 Edge: The pair have high hopes for Koktail Divin in the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase. 
• When to Back: They excel in Championship races. If Blackmore is on a de Bromhead runner in a Grade 1, the strike rate increases significantly. They are the masters of peaking at exactly the right moment. 

3. The Brotherly Bond: Dan & Harry Skelton 

The Skelton stable has transitioned from handicap specialists to genuine Grade 1 contenders. Dan Skelton has now reached 11 Festival winners, seven of which came in handicaps, a testament to his ability to lay one out for a specific target. 

• The Stats: As a duo, Dan and Harry Skelton have recorded 35 wins together at Cheltenham (including non-Festival meetings), making them the most prolific active partnership in terms of pure volume at the track. 
• The 2026 Edge: All eyes are on The New Lion, the current favourite for the Champion Hurdle. With the absence of some aging stars, this is the Skeltons’ best chance to claim a Big Four trophy. 
• When to Back: The County Hurdle and the Coral Cup. Dan Skelton’s record in the County Hurdle (4 wins) is legendary. If Harry is booked for a Skelton runner in a Friday handicap, move fast, the price won’t last. 

4. The Tactical Masters: Nicky Henderson & Nico de Boinville 

Despite a rocky 2024/25 period, Seven Barrows remains a force of nature. Nicky Henderson (75 wins) and Nico de Boinville (27 wins together) represent the pinnacle of British tactical racing. 

• The Stats: While their overall LSP can be volatile due to high expectations, they maintain a formidable strike rate in Novice Chases (41%). De Boinville is arguably the best positional jockey in the business, rarely getting trapped on the rail. 
• The 2026 Edge: Old Park Star in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is the one they’ve been whispering about all winter. 
• When to Back: Focus on their runners in the opening races of the day. Henderson likes to break the ice early to settle the stable’s nerves. 

5. The Dark Horse Duo: Gavin Cromwell & Eoin Staples

For those looking for an underdog with a massive ROI, look toward Gavin Cromwell. Last year’s Gold Cup win with Inothewayurthinkin proved he can mix it with the giants. 

• The Stats: This season, the partnership of Cromwell and young jockey Eoin Staples has been a goldmine, producing an 18% strike rate and a profit of nearly £40 to a £1 level stake. 
• When to Back: In the handicaps. Cromwell’s horses are often overlooked by the British public, leading to inflated prices for runners that are perfectly handicapped. 

Summary Table: Combinations to Watch

Before the tapes go up at Prestbury Park, identifying the most potent partnerships in the paddock is the key to unlocking consistent returns. While individual talent is undeniable, the true edge lies in the historical success and tactical synergy between certain trainers and their preferred riders. 

These combinations often represent years of shared strategy, specifically tailored to the unique demands of the Cheltenham terrain. Bettors comparing odds across the best horse racing betting sites often look closely at these trainer-jockey pairings when assessing where the real value might lie during the Festival.  

By focusing on these proven duos, punters can better anticipate stable intent and identify where the smart money is likely to flow throughout the four-day meeting. 

Trainer	Jockey	Best For…	Key 2026 Horse	Insight
W.P. Mullins	Paul Townend	Grade 1 Favourites	Fact To File	The gold standard of the Festival, Townend is the master of the Cheltenham roar.
H. de Bromhead	Rachael Blackmore	High Value / LSP	Koktail Divin	A rare partnership that maintains a high positive Level Stakes Profit (+10.66).
Dan Skelton	Harry Skelton	Big-Field Handicaps	The New Lion	Prolific duo with 35 course wins; experts at laying one out for specific targets.
Nicky Henderson	Nico de Boinville	Novice Races	Old Park Star	Boast a formidable 41% strike rate in Novice Chases; exceptional tactical positioning.
Gavin Cromwell	Eoin Staples	Each-Way Value	Inothewayurthinkin	The Dark Horse duo has a massive ROI and an 18% strike rate this season.

Why Trainer and Jockey Partnerships Matter at Cheltenham

Cheltenham is unlike most race meetings. The undulating track, demanding uphill finish, and intense Festival atmosphere mean that preparation and experience can be just as important as raw ability. This is where strong trainer and jockey partnerships often make the difference. 

Jockeys who regularly ride for the same trainer understand how the stable prepares its horses and how those runners should be ridden tactically. For bettors, these partnerships can also provide useful signals, as trainers typically trust their preferred riders with their leading contenders during the Festival. 

Final Betting Tips: How to Follow the Trends 

As Cheltenham approaches, success isn’t just about reading the form. It’s also about understanding the Festival factor and how specific stables peak for these four days in March. While individual horses can dazzle, the betting value often hides in the patterns of how trainers deploy their talent and jockeys manage the tactical pressure. 

By identifying these recurring trends, you can move from speculative punting to strategic wagering based on high-probability outcomes. Many bettors also consider each-way betting in Cheltenham’s competitive handicaps, where large fields and bigger prices can create attractive value opportunities. The following pointers are designed to help you decode market movements and stable intent before the tapes go up. 

• Trust the Blackmore Factor: Rachael Blackmore remains a standout for profitability. When she is booked for a de Bromhead runner in a Grade 1, the strike rate increases significantly. 
• Follow the Money for Skelton: If a Dan Skelton horse is backed heavily in the final 10 minutes before a handicap (specifically the County Hurdle), it is usually a signal of high stable confidence. 
• Trust the Mullins Momentum: Willie Mullins’ string peaks for the Mares’ races. In these events, the Mullins/Townend combination is the most reliable banker on the card.