Top Trainers at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival  Few racing festivals draw in the general public like the Cheltenham Festival. A veritable feast of racing action set across four days, it’s a competitive and highly prized spectacle that enthrals both casual punters and avid racing fans alike. The festival is steeped in history with its origins stretching back to 1860 when the then ‘National Hunt Chase’ took place in Market Harborough. Staggered across its four days, TV viewers (close to 2 million in recent years in the UK alone) and those on course can enjoy the likes of the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Arkle Challenge Trophy and the one and only Cheltenham Gold Cup. In a way the festival is a living and evolving history and tribute to the sport, as for instance Arkle is a legendary racehorse, the Queen Mother a huge racing fan, and so on.

 

Fast forwarding to the 2024 Festival and the Cheltenham odds offers a window into how many (certainly the bookies!) think events will unfold. Let’s take the jewel in the crown, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. This prestigious race has a clear favourite in the shape of Galopin Des Champs. This French-bred Irish-Trained racing giant certainly has the credentials to do the job, having recently won the Irish Gold Cup race at the Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival (the fourth Grade One win of the day for trainer Willie Mullins). At a short 10/11 at time of writing, he will definitely take some stopping, and having won the Gold Cup in 2023 will find himself in the illustrious company of just eight others if he manages to pull it off again. His nearest competitor Fastorslow (5-1) is a talent too, though he was handily beaten in the aforementioned race, so bookies and punters alike aren’t convinced.

 

Success at The Cheltenham Festival is something that all of those at the pinnacle of the sport can use as a claim to greatness. With jockeys, legends of the sport such as Ruby Walsh and Davy Russell have elevated their standing significantly due to their Cheltenham successes. The former holding the accolade of winning the Cheltenham Festival top jockey award a staggering 11 times – riding 7 winners on two of those occasions. Russell clinched the title after riding 4 winners in 2018.  In 2024 jockeys slooking to shine include the likes of Paul Townend (expecting several rides including the aforementioned Galopin Des Champs), 2021 top jockey Rachael Blackmore and Jack Kennedy.

 

Of course behind every horse, and talented jockey is a trainer making the difficult decisions and getting a meaningful framework and route to success in place. In 2024 trainers looking to make their mark include:

 

Willie Mullins

 

This Irish former jockey turned trainer is no stranger to excelling when it matters. With Grand National and Champion Hurdle wins under his belt, as well as training the most winners at Cheltenham (including ten wins alone in 2022) he’s a formidable presence at the event. He’ll be looking for build on Galopin Des Champs successes here to repeat his Gold Cup win the year prior. With 40 winners in January alone the momentum is certainly with the Irishman.

 

Nicky Henderson

 

With six national hunt Champion Trainer trophies under his belt, Nicky Henderson knows a thing or two about the sport of kings. Over the years there’s little he hasn’t won at Cheltenham, with memorable victories in the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle and indeed twice the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner – with Long Run in 2011 and Bobs Worth two years later. One setback in the 2024 Festival for Henderson is jockey Nico De Boinville’s ongoing collarbone injury. A regular rider of the likes of Constitution Hill and Jonbon, the injury creates unhelpful unknowns this close to the March 12th – 15th festival.

 

Gordon Elliot

 

After beginning his career as a trainer in the mid 2000’s , Elliot was still under 30 when he claimed his first Grand National win with outsider Silver Birch in 2007. He went on to win the race twice more in 2018 and 2019 with Tiger Roll. His successes are by no means event specific though as he too has been top trainer at Cheltenham twice. With an in form stable and a 9-1 Gerri Colombe in the Gold Cup this year, the trainer is said to be nervous yet excited by the upcoming festival.

 

Other trainers of note vying for success at Cheltenham include Martin Brassil (trainer of second favourite Fastorslow in the Gold Cup), Henry De Bromhead (with the likes of Rachael Blackmore riding for him) and Paul Nicholls (hoping that Bravemansgame can do the business in the Gold Cup!). Cheltenham is a big money event (the winner of the main event wins £350k+) but above and beyond prize money on offer, it’s all about beating the best of the best and becoming part of the history of this spectacular event.

It won’t be long now until we can all enjoy this feast of racing action so whether you’re placing a few wagers over the course of the festival or simply soaking up the event, enjoy!