Cheltenham Top Trainer Odds

Willie Mullins

Willie Mullins heads into the 2026 Cheltenham Festival as the dominant force in the Top Trainer market once again, and it would take an underwhelming week by his own exceptional standards for him not to be heavily involved at the top of the standings. The Closutton yard is once again set to be represented across all four days by a deep squad of graded performers, novices and handicap contenders, giving Mullins multiple opportunities to add to his remarkable Festival record. It is no surprise to see him such a prohibitively short priced favourite.

His team this season looks unusually weak in the novice ranks, but he dominates the Gold Cup market and has an unrivalled gang of mares who could sweep all three female only races. Mullins also looks set to be strongly represented in the juvenile division, with Narcisco Has a hot Triumph favourite with plenty of stablemates as his supporting cast. The yard’s usual strength in depth across Grade 1 contests means winners can come from several directions. Even in seasons where the standout favourites are fewer in number, Mullins’ ability to accumulate winners through sheer volume makes him extremely difficult to oppose in this market.

Best Chances

1. Narcisco Has - Triumph Hurdle - 5/4
2. Lossiemouth - Mares’ Hurdle - 5/4
3. Fact To File - Gold Cup - 5/2

Nicky Henderson

Nicky Henderson shapes as the most plausible home defence in the Top Trainer market for the 2026 Festival, largely because his stable stars remain capable of swinging the week. Henderson does not need a huge number of runners to challenge if his headline acts deliver, and Seven Barrows can often build momentum quickly if they strike early. A strong Tuesday in particular has the potential to set the tone for his entire week, which matters in a market where confidence and momentum can snowball through a yard. He has the hot favourite in both the Supreme and Arkle and you suspect the first two races of the 28 are the most important to the team's chances.

The centrepiece of Henderson’s challenge is still Constitution Hill, who is entered to reclaim Champion Hurdle glory and would bring the house down with a win. The trouble is, he has seemingly forgotten how to jump hurdles. Henderson also has leading chances in other championship races, with Jango Baie well fancied for the Gold Cup and Jonbon expected to have a major assignment over fences at the meeting, be it in the Champion or Ryanair Chase. If Henderson lands one of the championship events and adds a supporting win, he becomes the most realistic rival to Mullins rather than simply the best of the rest.

Best Chances

1. Lulamba - Arkle - 5/4
2. Old Park Star - Supreme - 2/1
3. Constitution Hill - Champion Hurdle - 3/1

Gordon Elliott

Still leading the Irish Trainers' Title race, albeit with the looming spectre of Willie Mullins seemingly eating into his advantage with every passing weekend, Gordon Elliott was Cheltenham top trainer in both 2017 and 2018 but has had to play second fiddle of late. 2025 was not a happy Festival for the team, with a raft of seconds meaning heading into the Martin Pipe he was set to end on zero winners. 

Thankfully, wonder-mare Wodhooh claimed that final race and Elliott's emotion was visible for all to see. In 2026, she is one of his strongest chances in the Mares' Hurdle and another of his big guns to fire is Brighterdaysahead in the Champion Hurdle. She flopped with the race at her mercy in the dramatic 2025 renewal - when her two big market rivals in Constitution Hill and State Man fell - but Elliott and the team are confident they can make amends this season.

He also has some smart novices, notably the rapid but wayward jumping El Cairos who goes in the Supreme, and as always he will be well represented in the Cross Country - with his Favouri De Champdou well fancied - but for Elliott to be Champion Trainer again one suspects he will need a good few handicap winners.

Best Chances

1. Wodhooh - Mares' Hurdle - 2/1
2. Brighterdaysahead - Champion Hurdle - 3/1
3. Favouri De Champdou - Cross Country Chase - 9/2