Paddy Brennan has been backed into 22/1 from 33s with Sky Bet to lift the leading rider title at the Cheltenham Festival.
The growing list of trainers clamouring for his services includes Tom George, who is expected to call on the Irishman to replace injured stable jockey Sam Thomas on Albert Bartlett favourite Tell Massini and outsider Olofi in the Triumph Hurdle.
Brennan already has a fantastic book of rides to look forward to at next week’s Cheltenham Festival, where his mounts include Khyber Kim in the Champion Hurdle and Imperial Commander in the Gold Cup for his retaining yard.
The no.1 jockey to Nigel Twiston-Davies could also be called up for leading RSA hope Weird Al from the Ian Williams yard if not required to ride for his boss.
Matt Doyle of Sky Bet said: ‘Although Ruby Walsh’s book of rides is the envy of his weighing room colleagues, the same can be said of Brennan who is riding at the top of his game at present.’
Brennan's maiden Festival success came in 2006 on the Charlie Egerton-trained Shamayoun in the Fred Winter Hurdle and he cemented his new partnership with Nigel Twiston-Davies riding Imperial Commander to victory in the Ryanair Chase 12 months ago.
The Irishman is one of the leading current jockeys riding at the Cheltenham Festival with four winners, while Ruby Walsh heads the lists with 24 winners and is 1/2 favourite to retain the leading rider title this year with Sky Bet.
Walsh needs just two more winners to become the winning-most rider at the festival and would break the record of Arkle’s jockey Pat Taaffe, who holds the record at present with 25 Festival winners.
Top Festival jockey, Sky Bet betting:
1/2 Ruby Walsh, 10/3 Barry Geraghty, 13/2 Tony McCoy, 14/1 Robert Thornton, 20/1 Davy Russell, 22/1 (from 33s) Paddy Brennan, 25/1 Richard Johnson, 33/1 Paul Carberry, Timmy Murphy, 50/1 Graham Lee, Tom Scudamore, 66/1 Jason Maguire, 100/1 Sam Waley-Cohen
Top Festival jockey w/o Ruby Walsh, Sky Bet betting:
5/4 Barry Geraghty, 3/1 Tony McCoy, 6/1 Robert Thornton, 7/1 Davy Russell, 11/1 (from 14s) Paddy Brennan, 14/1 Paul Carberry, 20/1 Timmy Murphy, 25/1 Graham Lee, 28/1 Denis O’Regan, 33/1 Paul Townend, 40/1 Jason Maguire
