Trainers at the Cheltenham Festival

During the Cheltenham Festival, the focus is normally on the horses themselves and the jockeys that ride them. However, the behind the scenes work from the trainers often goes unnoticed. It’s often understated the effect that trainers have on a horse's performance, so Bet UK are taking a quick look at 5 trainers to keep your eye on at this year's Cheltenham Festival. Whether you have a favourite jockey or trainer, you can place a wager on the festival here at Bet UK. We will also provide you with news, Cheltenham Festival betting tips and the latest odds throughout the event. Bet UK are also offering Cheltenham betting offers throughout the Festival.

Willie Mullins

2019 Winners - Klassical Dream (6/1), Dus Des Genievres (5/1), Eglantine Du Seuil (50/1), Al Boum Photo (12/1) 2020 Favourite - Al Boum Photo @ 4/1 in Gold Cup

No trainer has ever had more success at the Cheltenham Festival than Willie Mullins. Mullins has an incredible 65 wins at the Cheltenham Festival, although there are a few other trainers hot on his tail. Mullins will be hoping for a repeat of his 2015 Cheltenham results, when he won a remarkable 8 races. Until last year, the only major trophy that evaded him was the Cheltenham Gold Cup. But, Al Boum Photo and Paul Townend finally delivered Mullins the win he had been looking for. This year, Al Boum Photo is widely expected to try and defend his crown. Now Willie Mullins has the Gold Cup in his possession, it’s tough to think that he wouldn’t do everything he can to make sure he wins it for a second time.

Nicky Henderson

Whilst Mullins might be the most successful trainer ever, outside of Ireland, Nicky Henderson is the man to keep an eye on. Nicky Henderson has been winning at the Cheltenham Festival for 35 years now, and shows no signs of slowing down ahead of the 2020 Festival. 4 winners last year included Altior, who will be running in the Champion Chase for a third year in a row. Trained by Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville, Altior has won the Champion Chase for the last 2 years. He is one of the most impressive horses around at the moment and the race on Wednesday 11th March will be unmissable. If he can edge one more winner than Willie Mullins this year, then he will overtake Mullins in the all time Cheltenham winners leaderboard.

Gordon Elliott

2019 Winners - Tiger Roll (5/4), Envoi Allen (2/1), Sire Du Berlais (4/1) 2020 Favourite - Tiger Roll @ EVS in the Glenfarclas Chase

Gordon Elliott has 22 Cheltenham winners in his career so far. That’s an impressive number for any trainer, but when those winners have come in just 8 years, it shows just how well Elliott has performed recently. Over the next month is when Elliott really comes into his own. As well as Cheltenham, Elliott has also won the last 2 Grand Nationals with Tiger Roll. In April, he will be looking to be the first horse to ever win the National in 3 consecutive years. Before that however, Tiger Roll will be taking place in the Glenfarclas Chase. He is the runaway favourite in the ante post betting and with the form behind him, Elliott will be looking at Tiger Roll as a certain winner.

Dan Skelton

Dan Skelton is the half of the Skelton brothers that handles the training, leaving Harry Skelton to work as a jockey. It’s a partnership that has seen plenty of results at courses across the UK. At Cheltenham, they have hardly been prolific but there are plenty of signs that 2020 could be a good year. One horse to look out for is Allmankind, who is running in the JCB Triumph Hurdle on Friday 13th March. Allmankind has impressed in the run in to the Festival and although he isn’t the favourite for Friday’s Triumph, a decent performance is all but guaranteed. Regardless of the race, it’s always worth looking out for a horse that is both trained and rode by a Skelton.

Paul Nicholls

2019 Winners - Topofthegame (4/1), Frodon (9/2) 2020 Favourite - Frodon @ 6/1 in the Ryanair Chase

Paul Nicholls has previously had plenty of success at the Cheltenham Festival with French horses. Clan Des Obeaux, Frodon and Politologue are just some of the horses that Nicholls is bringing to the Festival from across the pond. Although it was Frodon who impressed the most last year. Frodon won the Ryanair Chase last year and all signs point to him defending his title in 2020. He’s currently 6/1, which is actually bigger than the SP that he went off at in 2019. Although this might be down to the ante post, it’s a very good price for a horse that will more than likely perform well.

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*All odds from Bet UK’s online betting markets correct at the time of writing.

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