Jockey Analysis
P Townend

Detailed jockey analysis for Paul Townend at the Cheltenham Festival
* note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.

P Townend
Ireland

BIO

Paul Townend has been the most successful jockey at the festival in recent years and has amassed a total of 42 winners, just one behind Barry Geraghty in third place in the all-time list.

FESTIVAL WINS

STRIKE RATE

20.9%

PROFIT (LOSS)

£19

WINS & STRIKE RATE BY YEAR

WINS & STRIKE RATE ANALYSIS

Townend has an impressive strike rate of almost 21% since 2016 and if you take only the last five years it is over 29%. As well as the 24 winners in the last five years Townend has also managed five second place finishes, not to mention Galopin Des Champs and State Man both falling at the last when in command for the Turners and Champion Hurdle respectively.

Pulse Verdict:

Townend has an even stronger record at the Festival than his trainer, Willie Mullins, and has improved his strike rate further in recent years.

Triumph Hurdle

Albert Bartlett

Queen Mother Champion Chase

Arkle Challenge Trophy

County Hurdle

Turners / Ballymore Novices Hurdle

Gold Cup

MOST SUCCESSFUL FESTIVAL RACES

WINNERS BY RACE TYPE

PULSE STOPPER

Handicap Chase Caution

As has been mentioned about trainer W P Mullins he has an alarming record in handicap chases (0/36) and as you would expect the stable jockey has not been strong either with a 0/7 record though he’s not had a ride in a handicap chase since the 2020 festival.

Aside from his trainer Mullins, Townend has had 8 rides for other trainers at the Festival with a 0/8 record.

Pulse Stopper Verdict:

Like Mullins, Townend's exceptional Festival record has not extended to handicap chases. He is 0/7 since 2016. When away from Mullins, Townend has not ridden a winner.

PULSE INSIGHTS

Aside from the 0% strike rate in handicap chases (see Pulse Stopper) Townend has a 15.4% strike rate in handicap hurdles. However, this increases to a very healthy 21.4% in non-handicap hurdles and 26.8% in non-handicap chase events.

Pulse Insights Verdict:

Townend has a relatively lower strike rate in handicaps, though 15.4% is still a significant return in handicap hurdles. Note all four wins were in the County Hurdle (4/11) and would return a profit of £30.60 on that race alone. More widely Townend still returns a profit of £15.60 in handicap hurdles.

PULSE EDGE

Although Townend has won three Triumph Hurdles, he has a strike rate of almost 25% for horses aged five and older with a profit of over £22 to a £1 level stake.

Looking at French horses it’s a similar picture with a profit of £23 with a 15/48 record (31% strike rate) for those five and older – strike rate at 26% overall for French-bred.

Interestingly, when with Mullins and not favourite the partnership returns a healthy profit of £33.40.

Pulse Edge Verdict:

With older French-bred horses Townend moves the needle further on strike rate and profit.

Even if not favourite, Mullins and Townend have a strong return.

PULSE VERDICT

Townend's Strike Rate Increased By 83%

Taking the last five Festivals, Townend has a strike rate of 29.1%. If you take the preceding five years, his strike rate was 15.9%, this is an increase of 83%.

Townend has ridden five Gold Cup winners in the last eleven renewals, giving him a remarkable 45.5% strike rate in the race. Townend also has strong strike rates in the Arkle at 42%, Queen Mother Champion Chase at 37.5% and County Hurdle at 36%

PULSE SUMMARY

Pulse Rate

Gold Cup 5/11 | 45.5%

Pulse Stopper

Handicap Chases 0/7 | 0%

Non-Mullins Trained 0/8 | 0%

Pulse Insight

County Hurdle 4/11 | £30.60 to £1 level stakes

Pulse Edge

Mullins x Townend non-Fav 16/118 | £33.40 to £1 level stakes

ALL DATA FROM 2016 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

LAST UPDATED SEPT 2026

Jockey Analysis P Townend

Detailed jockey analysis for Paul Townend at the Cheltenham Festival * note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.

P Townend Ireland

BIO