* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
* Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing / Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason – you will lose your stake under traditional Antepost rules
So the jumps season is in full swing and it’s that time of year where I give you 10 horses to follow over the months ahead. Some of course will always be obvious – most in fact – but as much as anything this is about looking forward to the possible stars on show. Yeeehaaa!
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1 – Mirazur West (Willie Mullins)
This JP McManus gelding fell in a point to point but made easy work of a Nass bumper in March. The second ran well at Punchestown afterwards, while the third was a point winner for Cheveley Park Stud so the form might well be alright. I suspect he’ll win plenty.
2 – Marine Nationale (Barry Connell)
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner will be exciting when he goes chasing or if he eventually stays over hurdles. He has a great attitude and a will to win. We probably haven’t seen the best of him at this stage and provided he jumps fences good he’s an obvious winner of the Arkle.
3 – Constitution Hill (Nicky Henderson)/State Man (Willie Mullins)
Not much I have to say about Constitution Hill as he’s clearly the best hurdler around and was awesome in the Champion Hurdle. State Man will steer clear of him for much of the campaign and he can mop up many Grade 1 hurdles in Ireland.
4 – Stay Away Fay (Paul Nicholls)
Won well at Exeter the other day despite looking in trouble two out, although jockey Harry Cobden was never that concerned. I love this horses stamina and desire to succeed, and there’s every chance he could turn into a classy staying chaser with even races like the Scottish National a possible towards the end of the season.
5 – Jonbon (Nicky Henderson)
The two-mile chasing division is not strong with Energumene injured and El Fabiolo cleary the improver. Jonbon should have the chance to win plenty of races this term between two miles and two and a half and is one of the reasons Aidan Coleman is working hard after injury to come back better than ever.
6 – West Balboa (Dan Skelton)
Won well at Aintree the other day in a three-runner event. She was a fine handicap scorer at that track last season too and although generally lightly raced, could make a classy chaser if switched to fences. It’s not impossible if connections keep her over timber that she ends up in the mix for the Stayers’ Hurdle. She’s good.
7 – Burdett Road (James Owen)
A Royal Ascot winner on the level, this well-built sort scored nicely on hurdles debut at Huntingdon and can win lots more races. Will be less green next time and looks classy.
8 – Galopin des Champs (Willie Mullins)
Last season’s Gold Cup hero is still the one to beat in the Blue Riband come March despite suffering a defeat at the Punchestown Festival after his Gold Cup victory. Cheltenham is his place, and new kid on the block Gerri Colombe still has plenty to do to defeat him.
9 – Knappers Hill (Paul Nicholls)
The Paddy Power Gold Cup fancy this weekend Unexpected Party had loads of chase experience when beating Knappers Hill at Chepstow first time up. However, the latter was a different prospect when scoring at Wincanton over the weekend. He jumped like a buck then and surely he has loads of victories to come over fences.
10 – Bravemansgame (Paul Nicholls)
The King George might well end up a match between last year’s winner Bravemansgame and Shishkin and I suspect the defending champion will be hard to control at Kempton on Boxing Day. He’s not a horse I like that much to be honest, as from a punting point of view he’s not always as good as he can be. But there’s no doubt he’ll be winning something decent.
* Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing / Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason – you will lose your stake under traditional Antepost rules
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