With February now upon us the countdown to the Cheltenham Festival 2019 is continuing to gather momentum with the four day Prestbury Park spectacular now fast approaching on the horizon.
The equine talent on show in Gloucester of course takes centre stage, but we will also get to enjoy the highest level in human talent with the jockeys aiming to take the chances to shine on the biggest platform.
It is the week when the jockeys get to advertise their skills to the world and the race to be the man or woman with the most winners during the Festival is always a hotly contest side battle during the week. The jockey with the most winners will pick up the prestigious top jock award and there are four main contenders for that honour in 2019.
Ruby Walsh
Ruby has been at the top of the tree for the last ten years with a remarkable amount of winners at Cheltenham thanks to his associations with Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls and he will be bang in the frame again, as long as he stays injury free. Walsh has been top jockey 11 times since 2004 and with horses like Penhill, Laurina, Benie Des Dieux and Footpad to look forward to, there is every chance he makes it 12.
Barry Geraghty
Geraghty will always have a chance as the main rider in the UK for the all powerful JP McManus meaning he will be keeping his fingers crossed for a good week. Buveur D'air will be the main ride of the week for the 39-year-old jockey but he should also have chances on the likes of Birchdale, Champagne Platinum and Defi Du Seuil among others.
Davy Russell
Davy picked up the award after a thrilling week last year at the Festival and he will surely be eager to defend his crown in March. The experienced jockey can look forward to riding Presenting Percy in the Cheltenham Gold Cup which will be hugely exciting but that won't be his only chance with a host of trainers and owners, including spares for Gigginstown, likely to be after his services in the big races.
Jack Kennedy
The rising star of the jumps game, Kennedy has grown into one of the pre-eminent stars in the sport over the past couple of years with his role as retained rider for Gigginstown guaranteed to mean he has a good week. Perhaps best known for his association with Samcro, the young star also could be on the likes of Vision D'honneur, Battleoverdoyen, Blow By Blow and Apple's Jade.
