Racing TV's presenters and pundits Jumps horses to follow this season

This time last year our presenters and pundits picked out winner after winner, spearheaded by four-time scorers and stars of the season, Ballyburn (Gary O’Brien) and Brighterdaysahead (Lisa O’Neill, Niall Hannity).

Three-time winners (and Supreme hero) Slade Steel (Rachel Casey) and Mister Policeman (Fran Berry) added to the haul, as did two-time winner and Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Gerri Colombe (Donn McClean), and other dual scorers Tullyhill (Jane Mangan), My Trump Card (Kevin O’Ryan), Giovinco (Ed Watson) and Sageburg County (Peter Naughton). Bowenspark (James Millman), Filey Bay (Angus McNae), Dunnet Head (Gordon Brown), Galia Des Liteaux (Martin Dixon), Florida Dreams (Mark Howard), Iroko (Steve Jones and Nick Lightfoot) and Facile Vega (Ruby Walsh) all obliged too.

Our expert team have again compiled a list of horses to stay on the right side of during the 2024-25 Jumps season. You can keep track of your horses via the tracker page (). Simply click on the horse’s name and then the binocular icon.

Horse: Ballee.

He is so eager that chasing could go one of two ways, but the prospect of the positive side outweighs the doubts; he’s a chaser on looks and, should he jump with the same enthusiasm with which he races, he will dominate a novice handicap or three this season.

Horse: Thatsdwayimthinkin.

A half-brother to this year’s Festival winners Inothewayyourthinkin and Limerick Lace, he impressed when winning his sole point start in February. Like his high class siblings he could be a longer term project but he is definitely a horse to look forward to for the coming season.

Horse: Ravenscraig Castle.

Everyone loves a grey and this almost-white fellow is a striking phantomlike sight in full flight. Unfortunately, that top gear hasn’t been much in evidence since his close third in the 2021 Melrose Handicap at York. In a bid to re-ignite the fire, hurdling is on the agenda for the same connections, who enjoyed so much jumping success with Born Famous and the inside word is that his handicap mark is ‘workable’

Horse: Regent's Stroll.

Regent’s Stroll is from the family of Paul Nicholls’ Gold Cup winner Denman and he looked a highclass prospect in winning both of his starts in bumpers last season. He was an expensive buy as a store and has the looks to match his price tag. I think he can make up into one of leading British novice hurdlers, with distances beyond two miles certain to suit.

Horse: Romeo Coolio.

Was an expensive recruit after a smooth win in a Point-to-Point for Donnchadh Doyle at Belclare in March 2022 but already looks potentially top class after his three bumper runs last year, including runner up at the Cheltenham Festival. With luck on his side, this rangy son of Kayf Tara could prove the real deal over hurdles this term.

Horse: Juventus De Brion.

Needed the experience on his debut at Exeter and impressed with his attitude sticking on for pressure at Ascot in a deeper race. Keeping his novice status for this season increases the options but having placed in both his novice races so far he can go handicapping off just two runs where a mark of 120 does not look harsh. He was a non-runner twice on both extremes of ground so good to soft and 2m 4f look the current optimum conditions.

Horse: The New Lion.

A full-brother to the stable’s smart hurdler Kateira, the son of Kayf Tara created a favourable impression when winning a bumper on his debut at Market Rasen in April. A five and a half lengths scorer, he hails from a yard brimming with young talent but it will be a surprise if there is a better novice hurdler in Team Skelton’s barn this winter.

Horse: Golden Ace.

All the talk before the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival was that the Irish raiders had it stitched up but Golden Ace kicked them aside. Two of the beaten mares went on to win Grade 1 races to underline the strength of the form. Her high cruising speed and slick jumping will help her hold her own in the top two-mile races and she could well be the next Champion Hurdler.

Horse: Black Hawk Eagle.

Black Hawk Eagle, formerly with Noel Meade, has made a positive start to his British career since relocating to Kerry Lee’s Herefordshire base. The 6yo looked useful in a couple of mid-winter handicap hurdles before travel issues were the reason why he failed to give his running in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso. His first target will be Cheltenham’s October meeting and hopefully a big season awaits this progressive hurdler who hails from a yard which has sent out winners of the Swinton Hurdle and Kingwell Hurdle over the last 18 months.

Horse: Gustoso.

He is a horse I bought on a whim for £1,000 as a foal and in whom I retain a share. He’s not quick, and may be better with time and a fence, but he’s already won and I’m pretty confident that he has developed well and is well handicapped off his current mark. Look for a debut in early October and consider him when the ground is on the better side.

Horse: Spillane's Tower.

He improved with each run last year as a novice. He proved his versatility over a variety of distanceson different ground conditions. Mentally, he’s very straightforward. There are any number of exciting novices chasers from last season going into the adults pool now but this horse could go all the way ... we hope!

Horse: Monty's Star.

Monty’s Star has the potential to step forward now and take his place among the top stayingchasers this season. A Grade 3 winner over three miles as a novice hurdler, his jumping was very good when he won his beginners’ chase at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve last year, and he ran a big race in the Brown Advisory Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March to finish second to Fact To File. Still only seven, Henry de Bromhead’s horse has run just four times over fences, so he has the potential to go beyond his current chase rating of 152.

Horse: Jade De Grugy.

This half–sister to the very smart Sire De Grugy is already a very useful hurdler and promises to be an even better chaser when tackling that discipline. She has won four of her five career starts, her only defeat in the “Dawn Run” at the Cheltenham Festival where the race was not run to suit. She ended the season winning a Grade 1 Novices Hurdle at Fairyhouse and it may be that a tilt at the Mares hurdle will be on the agenda this season. She handles heavy ground but has won under conditions described as good and has plenty of speed for a horse who stays two and a half miles.

Horse: Got A Dream.

While all eyes were on the Cheltenham Festival this imposing son of Getaway was an impressive 40/1winner at Huntingdon and his seventh in the Aintree Bumper showed it was no fluke. It would not be a surprise if Nicky Martin has another Bear Ghylls on her hands.

Horse: Mr Hope Street.

He was well ahead of his rating in a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Market Rasen in April. I interviewed Harry Skelton on Racing TV and he insisted, “the extra distance was a huge help and he was always finding plenty for me. There is a lot more to come from my fellow.” Mr Hope Street followed up at Uttoxeter and is expected to progress plenty this term. He will stay further and I can’t wait to see him over a fence. For more of Peter’s free Notebook horses click here.

Horse: Noahsgreatrainbow.

This son of Milan could be one to keep an eye on novice hurdling this year but definitely one for when he goes chasing. He’s a big horse who did very well in his two bumpers, winning on debut then second at Listed level. I have no doubt he will be hitting the top level before long

Horse: Fleur Au Fusil.

She often made life difficult for herself in bumpers but despite her keen-going tendency she won a Grade 2 at the DRF and performed creditably in defeat at Cheltenham and Punchestown. That speaks volumes for her talent and if taking adequately to jumping the Kapgarde mare should make up into a smart hurdler for the champion trainer this season.

Horse: Catch Him Derry.

He closed out his debut season with a smooth success over three miles at the Scottish National meeting and has plenty more to come as he likely remains over hurdles. There are plenty of opportunities over a staying trip and it would be disappointing if he doesn’t climb the ladder from his current rating of 117 to some bigger prizes as the season progresses.

Horse: Firefox.

Firefox was rubbing shoulders in top novice hurdles at all the major festivals last season and the only horse to defeat Ballyburn. With physical size and scope he has always shaped like he would make into a naturalchaser. A combination of pace and stamina, he may well find his niche over fences and gain that elusive Grade 1 victory.

Horse: Fact To File.

He took the Florida Pearl route of heading straight over fences after a smart bumper season. At times he has appeared to have something a little extra special and he may succeed where Florida Pearl failed and win a Gold Cup, hopefully next March. 

Horse: Saint Davy.

Saint Davy came onto my radar on a cold January afternoon when I was presenting at Ludlow in January. I felt he would be a hugely exciting prospect when he faces a fence – the job I am sure he was bought to do. The seven-year-old son of Balko fetched £270,000 at Goffs December PTP Sale. He is out of a Poliglote mare, Saintejoie who herself is out of a Saint Des Saints mare, giving him prestigious French bloodlines that makes him destined for better things over fences. Racing in the colours of Mrs Gay Smith, Saint Davy should provide plenty of excitement as a 3 mile novice chaser for the newly formed Jonjo & AJ O’Neill training partnership. 

Horse: Shanagh Bob.

Made a big impression winning the Bristol Novices Hurdle in December and had the Albert Bartlett nominated as his target. He missed that (I’m not sure it was his race anyway given his relative inexperience) due to stable form and may still have found his run in top level company coming much too soon at Aintree. He looks a fantastic staying chase prospect and should have a productive season.

Horse: Strong Leader.

Hands up, I have a personal and emotional attachment to this horse as my wife is his main physio and she knows Sam and Jess Rainbow who are part of a mainly family syndicate. He’s a homebred and jaw-dropping gorgeous. But mainly he’s just talented and there are opportunities for an emerging staying hurdler like him. Technically his jumping is a small issue and I’m not convinced Cheltenham is his track but he finished third in the Cleeve before winning Aintree’s Grade 1 on his only runs over three miles so there’s so much potential with him and races to run in. He wants to win, Sean Bowen knows him well and I think he’ll win a few before hopefully defending his crown on Merseyside. They call him Noah, by the way.

Horse: Captain Quint.

It’s a big season ahead for trainer Paul Robson following his summer move to Rose Dobbin’s former yard in Northumberland. Cannock Park and Breizh River are six-year-old novice chasers who could be carrying the Hazelrigg torch into some decent races come the spring. I’m particularly intrigued to see what Robson can do with Captain Quint, a previous Dobbin inmate, over marathon trips. Musselburgh’s Edinburgh National and the Eider at Newcastle are two valuable targets this lightly-raced eight-year-old is likely to sneak into off a low weight.

Horse: Thunder N Lightnin.

Harry Derham has made a flying start to his training career and I expect Thunder N Lightnin to make his contribution during the 2024-25 season. Placed in pointto-points, the six-year-old son of Alkaadhem followed a hurdles debut sixth at Kempton Park in November with a second at Taunton on his two starts before the turn of the year. Thunder N Lightnin is to go novice handicap chasing before long and he’s fancied to show to better effect in that sphere.