Winning a race at Cheltenham is the ultimate goal for every trainer across the UK and Ireland, but unfortunately, the dream of a Festival victory only comes through for a small percentage. 

The multitude of Grade 1 races on offer throughout the week are usually dominated by a select few in the training ranks. This allows the biggest trainers in the game to not only concentrate on adding to their Cheltenham Festival winning record but also a chance to get bragging rights over their peers by being crowned Leading Trainer for the week.

With the 2023 renewal of National Hunt racing’s greatest spectacle now just around the corner, the trainers hoping to be in contention for this year’s Leading Trainer award are busy putting the final touches to their superstar horses’ preparations, as they hope to have another successful week in the Cotswolds, as do the punters wagering on their charges at horse racing betting sites.

At Bookies.com, we will keep you up to date with the leading trainers and which horses could help them on the way to winning the best trainer award. With betting offers galore from the best betting sites in the business in the lead up to the Cheltenham Festival, now is the best time to check out the runners and riders.

So, let’s have a look at the trainers in contention to land the big prize in 2023.

Willie Mullins

There is no other place to start than with the leading Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer of all time, Willie Mullins. The master Irish trainer has held a monopoly over the Leading Trainer award in recent years, winning eight of the last 10, including a record total of 10 winners 12 months ago. He has certainly been the trainer to follow when making your wagers at horse racing betting apps.

The Mullins juggernaut shows no sign of slowing down this year, and he will once again be represented by some of the best horses in training today that you should be keeping a keen eye on when making your picks with the best bookmakers.

With the likes of Gaillard Du Mesnil, Facile Vega, Energumene and Galopin Des Champs, being part of team Mullins in the likes of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, another successful week is once again in the offing for the brilliant Irish trainer.

With such an abundance of Mullins horses running at Cheltenham this year, it can be hard to keep a track of his confirmed runners for the day’s action and for the week ahead.

That’s where our Willie Mullins Entries page becomes a must-visit.

Gordon Elliott

The only man to stop Willie Mullins’ complete domination in recent years is his fellow Irish trainer, Gordon Elliott. Elliott has been battling his old foe in Ireland for many years now, and the pair have also had some ding-dong battles at Cheltenham.

In 2017 and 2018, Elliott finally managed to take Mullins’ Leading Trainer crown, but since then, he has struggled to find a team of horses good enough to challenge in the festival’s biggest races.

Elliott’s team is a little low on top-quality challengers again in 2023, but he is likely to enjoy some big race wins. Among the favourites on betting sites in their respective races – Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, Turners Novices’ Chase and Cross Country Chase, respectively - are the likes of Gerri Colombe, Mighty Potter and Delta Work.

Elliott also has a brilliant record of grabbing victories in the week’s most competitive handicap races, so it is worth checking out our dedicated page to the Irish trainer to find out which races his team of horses will be lining up for in 2023 and the odds on offer at some of the best betting apps.

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Nicky Henderson

The wily veteran of the training game, Nicky Henderson is Britain’s main hope of ending Ireland’s utter domination in the Leading Trainer award.

The master of Seven Barrows was the last UK trainer to win the title back in 2012, and although he will struggle to match the sheer number of challengers of his Irish counterparts, Henderson is still in for a big week at Prestbury Park given some of his charges.

Constitution Hill is his banker of the week in the Champion Hurdle, and with a rejuvenated Shishkin and big Arkle hope Jonbon also among his list of big chances, it is very likely that Henderson will be adding to his amazing tally of 72 Cheltenham Festival winners.

To keep a check on updated prices on UK betting sites on Nicky Henderson’s runners, check out our dedicated page for the veteran trainer.