PADDY POWER OPENS MARKET ON THOMAS PINK LEADING JOCKEY AWARD AT THE OPEN



JOHNSON & FEHILY HEAD MARKET AT 5/2
Paddy Power has opened a market on the Thomas Pink Leading Rider Award at The Open.


Heading the market at 5/2 for the coveted prize, which is awarded to the jockey who rides the most winners over the three days of The Open (Friday, November 12 to Sunday, November 14), are Richard Johnson and Noel Fehily. With Ruby Walsh on the sidelines, Fehily looks set to gain a number of lucrative spare rides from the powerful Paul Nicholls stable during The Open.

Top Jockey at Cheltenham this weekend (Paddy Power bets):



5/2 Richard Johnson, Noel Fehily, 5/1 Barry Geraghty, 6/1 AP McCoy, 14/1 Paddy Brennan, Joe Tizzard, Jason Maguire, 20/1 Timmy Murphy, 25/1 Tom Scudamore, 33/1 Wayne Hutchinson, Graham Lee, Nina Carberry, Paul Moloney, Sam Twiston-Davies, 50/1 Sam Waley-Cohen, Sam Thomas, Tom O’Brien, Daryl Jacob, 66/1 Will Kennedy


Paddy Power himself said: “Ruby Walsh’s misfortune has been Noel Fehily’s gain and champion trainer Paul Nicholls has provided him with some wonderful rides at Cheltenham this weekend.



“Noel’s rides are likely to include Tchico Polos, who looks to have a lively chance in the Paddy Power Gold Cup as well as Sanctuaire, who obviously has a favourite’s chance in the Greatwood Hurdle the following day.”



In the event of a tie, the number of placed mounts will be taken into consideration.



Thomas Pink, the leading shirtmaker, also extends its support to the Leading Trainer Award at The Open as well as the awards for both leading jockey and leading trainer at The Festival in March.



The previous top jockeys at The Open over the last five years are:
2009 - Paddy Brennan & Ruby Walsh (2 winners)
2008 - Paddy Brennan (2 winners)
2007 - Paddy Brennan (2 winners)
2006 - Ruby Walsh (6 winners)
2005 - Timmy Murphy (4 winners)

Leading Jockeys at The Open since 1990
Tony McCoy - 39
Timmy Murphy - 19
Ruby Walsh - 16
Richard Johnson - 11
Mr J T McNamara - 7
Paddy Brennan - 6
Joe Tizzard - 6
Robert Thornton - 6
Barry Geraghty - 5
Noel Fehily - 4
Paul Carberry - 3
Brian Harding - 3
Philip Hide - 3
Graham Lee - 3
Jimmy McCarthy - 3
Tom Scudamore - 3
Sam Thomas - 3

For further information please contact Andy Clifton, Communications Manager at Cheltenham Racecourse, on 07876 330090, or visit the website at http://www.cheltenham.co.uk/

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