Can Paul Townend achieve a career-best Cheltenham tally?

Paul Townend has been crowned leading rider at the Cheltenham Festival four times in the last five years and is again the man to watch this year.

He's the stable jockey for all-conquering trainer Willie Mullins and will have his pick of the battalion of horses emerging from Closutton.

Townend is now on 34 Cheltenham Festival winners, with his personal best being six in 2024. Can he top that tally this year? We assess some of his chances each day.

Tuesday - Kopek the Supreme starting point

Few performances this season have lit up a racecourse like Kopek Des Bordes did in his Dublin Racing Festival win. He was a bit keen early and got drawn into the picture by a loose horse sooner than Townend would have liked, but what a dominant display he put in from the home bend.

He could be a superstar in the making and he's the hot favourite for the curtain-raising Supreme Novices' Hurdle as Townend looks to start the Cheltenham Festival with a win for the second time in his career after Appreciate It in 2021.

Kargese could be a player in the Mares' Hurdle before reigning champ State Man gets set for the defence of his Champion Hurdle title.

Wednesday - Final Demands to be made

If he opens up with a winner on day one, plenty will be expecting Townend to do the same again on Wednesday as Final Demand was another very impressive Dublin Racing Festival scorer and the Turners Novices' Hurdle is his Festival target, where top British-based contender The New Lion is a key rival.

Equally strong claims must go to Festival winner Ballyburn in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase when he steps up to three-miles.

Energumene is a two-time winner of the Champion Chase and, despite being beaten in the Clarence House at Ascot, he'll aim to turn the tables on Jonbon now.

Thursday - Gaelic Warrior with a point to prove

Perhaps day three could be Townend's biggest test to get on the scoresheet.

Gaelic Warrior has lost his way since routing his rivals in the Arkle here last year, but connections are hoping he will get soft ground again and relish his Cotswolds return as he steps up in trip for the Ryanair in all probability.

The Mares' Novices' Hurdle should contain Maughreen, who has plenty of scope for improvement after a winning hurdles bow at Punchestown in January after a year off.

Though Mullins is not noted for his work in the handicaps, Townend showed last year he can do damage with Absurde in the County, and he will likely have chances in the Jack Richards Novices Handicap Chase, the Pertemps Final and the Plate.

Friday - Galopin into the history books

The one Townend is likely looking forward to riding most is surely Galopin Des Champs, now odds-on to win the Gold Cup for the third straight year.

He's been imperious at Cheltenham since falling as a novice in 2022 when the Turners was at his mercy, and is now 3-4 at this festival.

Though he was turned over on his seasonal bow in the John Durkan, he is rarely at his best around Punchestown and the trip was far from optimal.

He's looked better than ever in his two Leopardstown wins since and could dominate as Townend bids for an incredible fifth Gold Cup win of his own.

Sainte Lucie needs a rebound in the Triumph Hurdle to open Friday's action, while Absurde could try to win back-to-back County Hurdles after a peach of a ride from Townend last year.

Allegorie De Vassy is a key Mares' Chase player and last year's Champion Bumper winner Jasmin De Vaux could go for the Albert Bartlett ahead of the Gold Cup.

Verdict

In Kopek Des Bordes, Ballyburn and Galopin Des Champs, Townend could have three stars set to lift him halfway to his best tally of six.

Final Demand, Energumene, Maughreen and Kargese are all major contenders for their respective targets and he's sure to get plenty of decent rides in the handicaps as well.

Still, being on the 'right horse' in races where Mullins has multiple contenders is tough and getting to seven won't be easy.

Ruby Walsh (2009 & 2016) is the only rider ever to get there, but if anyone is going to match him, it will surely be his Closutton successor.

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