Winless Ones To Watch: 20 horses to follow during the 2026-27 Jumps season

Trainer: Willie Mullins.

Conditions: Mares' novice hurdles.

Last season, King Rasko Grey featured in this list having finished second in a Punchestown Festival bumper for Willie Mullins. It would be unfair to think Altesse du Luy can mirror his success, but she looked a filly of significant potential on her sole start last campaign. 

By No Risk At All out of a French hurdles winner (from the family of the high-class Mr Mole), she was sold for €145,000 to Harold Kirk and Willie Mullins as a three-year-old. 

Her sole run under rules thus far came in the Goffs Defender Bumper. The choice of Patrick Mullins, she was sent off the well-supported 9/2 favourite. Patrick seemed keen to keep his filly wide, in contrast to the majority of the other riders, which saw Altesse du Luy out on her own at stages. That was particularly notable turning for home – while the eventual winner, Abbeyglen, forged clear from his challengers on the rail, the filly was never seemingly on terms for all that she kept responding for pressure. A clear second in the end, she left the impression that there was more to come for all that this did not look like the deepest renewal of this race. 

Trainer: Oliver Signy.

Conditions: Handicaps over intermediate trips.

Few, if any horses in this column will have run as many times last season as Bespoke Tailor. While that will put some off, I still think he retains plenty of potential. 

An impressive bumper winner when trained by Ewan Whillans, he joined Oliver Signy shortly after that win when he sold for £90,000 at Tatts Cheltenham January 2025 sale. 

His stable and hurdling debut came at Fontwell behind Idaho Sun and Gaelic Pride; he ran well to a point behind some smart rivals before fading late on, shaping as if he’d improve for the run. He duly took a step forward when he finished a close third at Cheltenham behind Soldier Reeves (147) and the reopposing Gaelic Pride (125). Further good efforts in novice company would follow behind Swinging Safari and Fire Warning (126), running to a similar level on each occasion. 

Bespoke Tailor would make his handicap debut in the Morebattle in a first time tongue-tie. Held up on the inside, it’s not easy to make ground from the rear at Kelso and so when he jumped the second last in thirteenth, his winning chance was negligible. He stayed on into seventh without threatening – a respectable effort given the race did not pan out in his favour at all. 

Interestingly, he underwent wind surgery before his final start of the season, which came in the Novices’ Championship Final handicap at Sandown. A bit like at Kelso, he was ridden very patiently and never threatened to win but posted an eye-catching effort, doing much the best of those held up to finish third. I’m sure connections will have been thrilled by the way he hit the line, particularly on his first run after wind surgery. 

Only raised one pound for that Sandown effort, Bespoke Tailor begins the season rated 119. He’s shown more than enough to suggest he’s up to winning off that mark, potentially down in grade and up in trip; for all that his dam is bred for pace (by Invincible Spirit), he’s by Malinas and his half-brother won multiple times over three-miles. 

Trainer: Olly Murphy.

Conditions: Handicaps over three miles.

Still very lightly-raced under rules, Burncourt Boy should be capable of making an impact in handicaps this season.

A winner of an Irish point-to-point on his third start, he was sold for £48,000 at the Cheltenham April sale thereafter. He made his rules debut at Carlisle over two and a half miles in November; it turned out to be a strong race, with the front five pulling nicely clear of the remainder. Burncourt Boy travelled nicely and mounted a strong-looking challenge turning in, before ultimately tiring after the last into fifth – not beaten far, but shaping as if he’d improve for the run. The form of that race has worked out quite well: Tormund Giantsbane (winner) is now rated 136, while the second and fourth are rated 133 and 132 respectively. 

He disappointed at Newbury when next seen in another competitive race, before getting back on track over the Christmas period at Kelso. Over an extended two miles and six furlongs, he travelled well into contention before proving no match for the impressive Country Code, who is now rated 135 having finished second in the River Don on his next start. He was giving seven pounds to Burncourt Boy, as was the third Tashkhan (126) but it was still an encouraging performance.

Burncourt Boy has an opening mark of 114 and, given how he shaped on two of his three starts over hurdles, he’s shown more than enough to suggest he can be very competitive from that mark. He seems to appreciate better ground, and should have no problem staying three miles.

Trainer: Lucy Wadham.

Conditions: Handicap hurdles over intermediate trips on good ground.

Lucy Wadham has enjoyed plenty of success with recruits off the flat in recent seasons: the likes of Pretending, Zain Nights, Miss Cynthia and Arqoob all spring to find. In Contacto, she may well have found another with whom she can excel with. 

Sold for 52,000 guineas out of Andrew Balding’s yard last Autumn, Contacto proved a reliable handicapper from marks in the mid-80s, currently holding a rating of 86 after a series of respectable efforts in decent races. His last effort saw him finish 2nd to Gnomon, giving him six pounds and who is now rated 123 over hurdles. His two wins were over a mile-and-a-half, he has plenty of form from a mile-and-three-quarters to two-miles, too. 

He made his hurdling debut at Newbury in December over an extended two-miles, finishing fourth behind Kadastral. It was a fair effort, especially when you consider his hurdling was very novicey; eleventh of fourteenth on the jump index, losing over six lengths to the field according to the RaceIQ data. 

He only made one further start last season, which came at Fontwell on soft ground over an intermediate trip. His jumping was better (albeit a touch big, leaving plenty of room for improvement) and he appreciated the step up in trip, finishing a three-and-a-half length third. The form looks solid: Legendary Luke (winner) was conceding a penalty but went on to finish fourth in a Grade 2, while the second and fourth are now rated 117 and 119 respectively. 

With that in mind, an opening mark of 110 for Contacto looks workable. He’s one to monitor in handicaps, particularly on better ground over intermediate trips.

Trainer: Anthony Honeyball

Ideal conditions: Handicap Hurdles over intermediate trips

We saw Jasmin De Grugy make rapid strides in handicaps for the Anthony Honeyball/J. P. McManus a couple of seasons ago; and while it’s not every day you can find such a progressive type, I hope Corner Forward might be able to mimic some of that success.

Pulled up at Fontwell on his rules/hurdling debut, he was a notable drifter on the day (a theme of his young career) and he was the subject to a lengthy stewards’ report. Richie McLernon reported that his mount began to hang and jump left-handed, severely at times, so much so that he thought something might be amiss.

It was therefore interesting to see him run at Hereford, Wincanton and Taunton on his next three starts; all at two-miles at right-handed tracks. On each occasion, he went off a big price and showed relatively little.

But it’s his most recent start which does lend some encouragement to his future prospects. Making his handicap debut at Ffos Las, again over two-miles, he went off at 14-1 having opened at 7-2 so clearly the market did not expect much.

Having raced prominently, he was swamped on the run to two out as they quickened but he kept on well to regain third, only beaten five and a half lengths at the finish. The race developed into a relative sprint, which clearly did not suit him, and it was a class 4 contest whereas he is eligible to run in a lower grade.

As we saw with Jasmin De Grugy, I expect Corner Forward to improve for a step up in trip. He remains on his opening mark of 96 - look out for him once he steps up in trip on left-handed tracks, ideally starting in class 5 company.

Trainer: Joe Tizzard.

Conditions: Mares Novice Hurdles over two to two-and-a-half miles.

Despite not winning in two bumper starts, Fairy Park looks like a mare who can become graded class over hurdles.

An emphatic winner of an Irish point-to-point at Dromahane in April 2025, the form of that hasn’t amounted to much, but it visually a very impressive performance.

Now in the care of Joe Tizzard in the Brocade Racing colours, her new trainer was very complimentary about her before she was seen on a racecourse. Describing her as a “big upstanding mare with a huge stride”, he noted that he hoped she could get some black type in bumpers while also acknowledging that “she will be a lovely novice for next season”.

She made her rules debut at Newbury against some more experienced rivals, but she acquitted herself really well: travelling smoothly (if a little keenly) but just unable to get past the front-running Princess Day, pulling well clear of recent listed winner, Malina Road.

After that very encouraging rules debut, she was sent off  at just 9/1 for the Nickel Coin at Aintree – with Princess Day the 2/1 favourite. The latter was disappointing on the day but Fairy Park, yet again, ran a very encouraging race without winning. Having raced towards the rear for the majority of the race, she came widest of all turning in and kept responding for pressure into a never nearer third, only beaten two and a quarter lengths.

By Walk In The Park out of a half-sister to Bellshill, she has the pedigree and the physique to make a lovely hurdler. She’s shown enough speed to suggest starting over two miles won’t be an issue. 

Trainer: Paul Nicholls.

Conditions: Handicap Chases, eventually over three miles.

An archetypal chaser, Grand Garcon has always looked a type that would need time and fences before we saw the best of him. Hopefully, this will be the season he shows what he’s capable of.

He finished second on his bumper and rules debut at Chepstow two seasons ago, looking very green in the process. His hurdling debut also came at Chepstow over two miles which was always going to prove on the sharp side. Still green (he ran around notably on the run to the first hurdle), he went through the race well but lacked the necessary turn of foot to ever be competitive, finishing a distant third behind the impressive Sober Glory. Kadastral (125) and Matty’s Getaway (133) finished second and fourth, so it was a strong race.

His next assignment came at Newbury over an intermediate trip. Paul Nicholls said before the race that he would “come on for his last run massively – mentally and physically”. Unfortunately, he struggled before pulling up although he would have wind surgery thereafter, suggesting there was more to it than just a poor performance.

He reappeared 111 days later, over the same course and distance as his previous start, sporting a first time tongue-tie. Just like every start over hurdles to date, he found himself against a high-calibre of opposition, and yet this time he finished a very creditable fourth. When you consider the front three were Le Frimeur (150), Came From Nowhere (133) and Doujadou (129) with the now 119-rated Mr Finch back in fifth, combined with the circumstances of his absence, this has to be considered a promising effort. Harry Cobden did not give him a hard time, allowing him to finish off his race strongly, which is always encouraging after wind surgery.

Grand Garcon will begin the season on a very workable mark of 112. He’s still learning, but there should be a lot of improvement to come over fences and when he steps up to three miles. I could envisage him starting over an intermediate trip on a galloping track, but he looks a thorough stayer.

Trainer: Neil Mullholland.

Conditions: Handicaps over three miles.

A staying on and narrow second when falling at the last in his sole point-to-point start behind subsequent Grade 2 winner, Koktail Brut, we’re yet to see the best of Hillwalk under rules although this could be his season. 

His rules debut two seasons ag was highly encouraging: finishing second to Sinnatra in a Chepstow bumper, before running below that standard next at Fontwell two months later. Neil Mulholland reported in a stable tour that it took him a while to get over that, so it’s unsurprising that it ended up being his last start of the season. 

Sent hurdling last campaign, there was minor promise in a trio of starts in novice company. Only last of three finishers at Plumpton on hurdling debut, he shaped as if in need of the run that day over an intermediate trip before clearly finding the two-mile trip too sharp on his next start ay Chepstow. His final run in novice company at Kempton was below that level, although Dylan Johnston reported that he was too free. 

He then made his handicap debut from a lowly mark of 95 at Chepstow over an intermediate trip. Very well backed, he needed pushing along far earlier than most; to his credit, he kept responding to pressure, eventually finishing a distant second to a thriving course specialist, Inion Tiogair. 

Hillwalk was declared twice in three-mile handicaps in May, but was withdrawn due to the ground on both occasions. He looks to be an out-and-put stayer who should find plenty of suitable opportunities once he races over three-miles. 

Trainer: Dan Skelton.

Conditions: Novice hurdles.

It’s not always easy to find horses that didn’t win in the previous season but that have a solid level of form. 

Sometimes, it is easy. Kaiser Ball is a prime example of that. 

He won a traditionally strong bumper at Fairyhouse in February 2025 on his debut for Willie Mullins, picking up impressively under Tom Costello to pull seven-and-a-half lengths of Eachtotheirown (member of this list last year, and now a Grade 1 winner). He was talked about as a Champion Bumper contender after that, but we wouldn’t see him for the rest of the season and, as it transpired, that was also his only start for Willie Mullins. 

His only start since came at Limerick in a maiden hurdle over the Christmas period. Now back with Tony Costello, he travelled powerfully before taking up the lead at three out. As the field turned in, he was slightly outpaced by a trio of rivals before staying on to regain third close to home. To say that the form has worked out well would be an understatement. The other three to occupy the front four positions were: King Rasko Grey (first, dual Grade 1 winner rated 150), Shuttle Diplomacy (second, only five lengths behind King Rasko Grey in the Turners and rated 142) and I Started A Joke (fourth, Grade 1 placed, rated 136). 

Subsequently sold for £360,000 in May 2026 to Tom Malone, it’s been revealed that he is in training with Dan Skelton, part owned by Harry Redknapp as well as three others. Already a six-year-old, Dan suggested that he’s one that could be up in grade and up in trip sooner rather than later. Given the level of form he already has to his name, he should be well up to graded level, particularly early in the season. 

Trainer: Paul Nicholls.

Conditions: Handicaps over two to two-and-a-half miles.

With four successive twos in his form line, Kilnew Supreme is the type of horse that I spend an inordinate amount of time internally debating when compiling this list. Ultimately, I’m prepared to give him a chance given how lightly raced he is and the opportunities he’s likely to have this season. 

Bought for £110,000 after finishing second to Crystal Island (unbeaten under rules, rated 133) in his sole point-to-point start, he was slightly flattered by the winner that day, but it was still a fair effort. 

Sporting a tongue-tie on his rules debut which came at Wincanton in a bumper, Harry Cobden went forward at a strong early pace before settling things down, leading until the final half a furlong where he ran slightly green. The winner, No Way Jay, finished fourth in a listed race next time out to give the form some substance – albeit, the race lacked depth. 

After that effort, he underwent wind surgery and so we wouldn’t see him until the Spring, where he was sent over hurdles. Back at Wincanton, he and the eventual winner, Stanners Glen, were the front two throughout and got into a good battle. Stanners Glen had an experience edge and the benefit of a recent run which may have proved decisive. His final start came at Taunton over an intermediate trip – he was given another positive rid and finished second again, beaten a similar distance. On both occasions, he showed he had plenty to learn. 

Kilnew Supreme is only rated 106 which should mean he can find some good opportunities in relatively weak handicaps. With time and more experience, he should improve by going up in trip, while his jumping has been an asset so far (topped the metrics for lengths gained jumping on both hurdles stars). 

Trainer: Sam Thomas

Ideal conditions: Handicap Chases, two miles to intermediate trips

“He may need a win, but he didn’t get one last season, and thus finds himself on this list” – Dan Overall, 2025.

Here we are, a year later, and he still needs a win. A horse featuring twice in this column is a first, but the case for him is very similar to last season. If we go back to some of his form from his first season under rules, his third to Juby Ball (137) and Lud’or (146) now reads very well. 

He started last season rated just 115, and I hoped that mark would be exploited in handicap company. Unfortunately for us, his first start last season came in novice company at Ffos Las. The front two pulled well clear but he eventually came off second best to Le Frimeur; the winner has franked that form in no uncertain terms, having won the three-mile Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at Punchestown and is now rated 150.

Given that run, he was raised seven pounds to 122 but we wouldn’t see him again for nearly five months. That came at Ffos Las where he would again finish second, this time to Doujadou. The winner looks a lovely prospect for Rebecca Curtis and had previously finished behind Le Frimeur as well as fellow Grade 1 winner, Bossman Jack.

While he remains a maiden, he’s shown more than enough to suggest he’s capable of winning and it may be that fences bring out further improvement. His forward-going run style should suit that discipline, although he can jump out to his left so it would be a concern if he ran at a right-handed track. I think he’s capable of starting over two-miles given he has been outstayed over intermediate trips, albeit by strong and high-level stayers.

Trainer: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Ideal conditions: Handicap Hurdles, starting at two miles (further in time)

Bought privately having finished third at Compiegne on debut for Noel George (the form hasn’t worked out great), Leo Wood has left the impression that we’re yet to see the best of him.

In their “horses in training” brochure produced at the start of last season, Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls said that “he has had a really good summer and now looks more like the finished article…we hope he will be a name to remember over hurdles this winter”.  

However, we wouldn’t see him until February, suggesting there was a hold-up of some sort. His reappearance came at Ludlow in a race that has worked out relatively well; sent off a well-backed 3/1 chance, he was given a patient ride in a race that developed into a sprint which perhaps didn’t see him to best effect.

He did move well into contention before flattening out close home, with the long absence maybe showing after the last. He was attempting to give twelve pounds to Misterdoc  (first, rated 125), with Dartmouth Castle (124) back in second. The third, Hornica, won NTO, as did Joeybottles who finished fifth.

We only saw him once more – that was at Warwick in March where he finished a respectable fourth, not beaten far. On this occasion, he was strikingly weak in the betting but he still gave a good account of himself, arguably stepping up on the form of his previous run. The winner, Cosmic Connection, is now rated 138 while Road To Wembley (second) won his next three and is now rated 124. 

Leo Wood is only rated 113 and shapes as though there’s more to come. By Cokoriko and a half-brother to Franco De Port, it would seem likely he will appreciate further in time.

Trainer: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore.

Conditions: Handicap Hurdles over intermediate trips (and beyond).

Having looked a work in progress across his three starts under rules thus far, it is hoped that Like Minded will appreciate a step up in trip into handicap company this campaign. 

Purchased for €47,000 as a three-year-old, Like Minded made his debut at Ayr as an unfancied 28/1 shot over two miles. While no match for the exciting Upon Tweed and the 127-rated Stede Bonnet, he stayed on into a respectable fourth, albeit never threatening the leading trio. 

He would get considerably closer next time out over the same course and distance – only beaten three-and-three-quarter lengths behind Sanilam (126) with Wilstar (125) only narrowly ahead in second. Yet again, he was under pressure earlier than most and kept on at the one pace, but it was still another encouraging effort. 

Following a fifty-day break, his final start came at Newcastle where he sported a first time tongue-tie. He continued his trend of gradually improving his finishing position, staying on into a never-nearer second having never threatened the winner, Jimbo Sport (120). 

Based on what we’ve seen on the track and his pedigree (half-brother to three-mile winner Hawthorn Street, dam related to Irish National winner Thunder And Roses), it seems inevitable that he will improve when stepping up in trip. He’ll start the season on a mark of 110 and, with experience and more appropriate conditions, it’s hoped he will continue to improve. 

Trainer: Gordon Elliott.

Conditions: Novice Hurdles, starting over two miles.

There may not be any bumper horse in Ireland from last season with stronger form that also failed to win in multiple starts. Frustrating for connections, but fortunate for me and this column.

Premier Division made his debut in the Willie Elliott Memorial Bumper at Fairyhouse; a race run in honour of Gordon’s uncle and, unsurprisingly, he tends to target it with his better bumper horses. Gordon ran three and it was Premier Division, under Patrick Mullins, who went off the well supported 11/10 favourite.

Ridden in midfield, he turned in going best of all as the tempo began to lift inside the final two furlongs. However, he was notably green under pressure, hanging left handed and unable to reel in his stablemates. The Gigginstown pair, Keep Him Company and Generous Risk, had point-to-point experience, were ridden more prominently and both franked the form; the former winning again before being sent off favourite for the Champion Bumper while the runner-up is now rated 136 over hurdles.

Next seen over Christmas, he again travelled powerfully through the race and mounted his challenge as the field approached the final furlong. There were still signs of inexperience under pressure, albeit not quite as drastic as on debut, but he found Cityofblindinlites and The Mourne Rambler too strong with Harry Swan not being overly hard on him once his winning chance was gone. The fourth and fifth won next time out while The Mourne Rambler went on to win the Champion Bumper.

It would be over four months before we saw him again, and that would be at the Punchestown Festival over two miles and three furlongs. Having, yet again, travelled powerfully into the race, he traded at 1.01 having hit the front inside the final furlong before the experienced and dour stayer Largy Star got back up close home. Perhaps it was a combination of the absence, the extended trip and his inexperience. 

It is a slight concern that he’s traded quite short in-running on three occasions, but there are viable excuses for each of those instances. What we can safely say is that his bumper form reads very well, and unlike many of Gordon’s bumper horses, he lacked prior experience and was clearly a work in progress. If translating that form to hurdling, he’s one to note. He could be more of a spring handicap type rather than a Graded horse.

Trainer: Dan Skelton

Ideal conditions: Novice Hurdles, ideally on galloping tracks over intermediate trips

With Kabral Du Mathan and Sinnatra, the Smiths and Skeltons have a lot to be excited about. While he hasn’t achieved anywhere near as much as those two, that combination could have another exciting young prospect in the form of Presley.

Sent off a well-supported 5-4 favourite for his racecourse debut at Chepstow in December, he was given a very patient ride by Charlie Todd (as many of Dan Skelton’s debutants are) before making headway as the field turned for home.

Ultimately, the race developed into a relative sprint which didn’t suit his track position, but he did record the highest finishing speed percentage as he stayed on into a respectable third. It looks a solid bit of form, too; the winner, Princess Day, won again next time out, and Keltype, back in fourth, went on to win on his next start.

Presley’s most recent outing came at Warwick in March, ninety-two days after his debut. Well supported in the market again, he was ridden in a more prominent position and while he finished a good second, yet again he didn’t look suited by the relative test of speed, with Warwick’s sharp track also contributing to that. Still, the winner that day (Merry Away) would frank the form by finishing fourth in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree on his next start.

Everything about Presley suggests he will be better over hurdles and over further. He’s a half-brother to multiple three-mile winners and Dan Skelton has described him as “a big chasing type for the future”. He has the ability to start over two miles (particularly on a more galloping track), but he should continue to improve with experience and as he steps up in distance.

Trainer: Dan Skelton.

Conditions: Handicap Hurdles/Chases over two miles.

A horse that felt like a work in progress throughout the entirety of last season, Quaviste is still very lightly-raced and it is hoped that he will begin to deliver on the promise he’s shown sooner rather than later.

A bumper winner two seasons ago (and only 11/1 for the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree, where he reportedly choked before subsequently having wind surgery), his novice hurdle campaign didn’t start brilliantly, as he finished a distant eighth at Stratford when the 7/4 favourite; it was in late October and a lot of Dan Skelton’s novices were improving significantly for their first run at this time.

Two runs at Market Rasen followed: unseating behind Brixson when a few lengths down at the last, before a respectable second where he split two last time out winners in Japetus (124) and Four Springs (118). He would then make his handicap debut just fifteen days later at Kempton from a mark of 113. While he only finished fifth of eight, it was a bunched finish and he was held up while never getting the clearest of runs. 

The handicap debut led many to believe he was a handicap winner in waiting. He was set a tougher assignment for his next and final start of the season: the Morebattle at Kelso, a more undulating track than he’d encountered and significantly deeper company. Held-up in last, Harry Skelton switched in out wide on the approach to three out where he began to make eye-catching and consistent progress to mount a challenge on the run to the last. Ultimately, he faded into fourth but I feel the energy he expended to get into that position from off the pace likely compromised his finishing effort.

Still only rated 113, he shapes like he is capable of much better. I expect him to make a better chaser – and he would be of significant interest in handicap chase company given his relatively lowly mark.

Trainer: Dan Skelton.

Conditions: Novice Hurdles, likely over intermediate trips.

Much like Presley, who featured previously in this column, Rattlin Home looks a seriously exciting prospect for hurdling this season. 

His point-to-point victory at Portrush could hardly have been better advertised by the runner-up: the Champion Bumper winner, The Mourne Rambler. Rattlin Home still looked raw that day, but having just narrowly edged to the lead on the run to two out, he really attacked the last to score a one-length victory with the leading pair well clear of the rest. 

Rattlin Home wouldn’t make his debut for the Skeltons until February, when he ran in a Kempton bumper. Considering The Mourne Rambler had already been impressive on his rules debut, it was a touch surprising that Rattlin Home went off 13/2 having been quite easy to back, albeit in what looked a competitive race. Given a patient ride, he was pushed along in seventh when the field turned for home and initially looked very green under pressure. Given that, it was to his credit that he was able to surge into second, albeit denied by Fine Shot. It looks a strong piece of form, with multiple previous winners (such as Smile John Boy and Le Roi Remi) in behind, while the third (Merlin Allen), also a previous winner, finished third in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree next time out. 

Dan Skelton in his blog described Rattlin Home as a “great, big horse”, while Harry commented after the race that “he was a bit all at sea down the back straight… I think he’s a nice horse for the future and definitely a three-miler in the making”. Considering that, to finish second in a Kempton bumper of substance looks a very good effort. 

I expect Rattlin Home to develop into a very nice novice hurdler this season. He’s likely to improve throughout the season as he still looks raw, but it would be no surprise if he was competing at Graded level come the spring. 

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien

Ideal conditions: Novice Hurdles over two-and-a-half miles (and further)

Despite his growing presence on the Flat, Joseph O’Brien continues to excel with limited numbers over jumps – and he has an interesting prospect with Techno Davis.

Sold for €160,000 as a three-year-old, he won a 5yo Maiden at Kirkistown in March, staying on powerfully and going away at the finish. 

And yet, having moved to Joesph O’Brien, we saw him quickly make his hurdling debut at the Punchestown festival just forty days after that point-to-point win. Up against much more experienced rivals, he did have some supporters (SP 10-1) – although those backers would never have been happy as he was never in a winning position.

Held up towards the rear, he found himself in last place running to two out where a sloppy jump didn’t aid his cause. Firmly ridden by J. J. Slevin by this point, who switched his mount out wide turning in, he kept finding gamely to finish a very respectable fourth, just six lengths off the winner.

This was an encouraging debut considering his inexperience and the form of the race has substance: the winner, Beauvallon, has since finished fifth in the Galway Hurdle off 133 while Gameball (third) occupied the same position at Galway, also from a mark of 133.

Techno Davis had the second highest finishing speed percentage that day and looks sure to be better over further and with more experience. He may not be up to graded level, but it would be no surprise if he were to turn up in decent Spring handicaps – possibly something like the Martin Pipe.

Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero.

Conditions: Handicap Hurdles over intermediate trips.

We only saw Timmys Jey Away three times last season, with all three starts coming before the turn of the year, and all three starts were at two-miles within a thirty-two day period. He showed glimpses of promise, but he is expected to improve significantly this term. 

In various stable tours at the start of last season, the Greenall-Guerriero team were keen to stress that he was a horse for the future. Described as “weak”, it was clear that they liked him but he would not be over faced. 

Sporting a tongue-tie after wind surgery on his rules debut at Doncaster, he looked quite raw but did shape well to a point before tiring on the run to the last. On his next start which came at Uttoxeter, he ran to a similar level but was never seriously in contention; always behind the leading group, he stayed on into an eye-catching fourth, not given a hard time. 

His final start of the season came at Haydock and it was a similar tale to his Uttoxeter run – always off the pace, but staying on strongly and in this instance, he recorded the highest finishing speed percentage despite finishing an eleven-length fourth. 

He’ll begin the season rated just 108; which can only be considered fair based on what he’s achieved but there should be a significant amount of improvement to come. A point-to-point winner on good ground, beating a subsequent hurdles winner now trained by Gordon Elliott, I expect him to improve when he steps up in trip on better ground.

Trainer: Dan Horsford.

Ideal conditions: Novice hurdles, starting over two miles.

Trainer Dan Horsford has enjoyed a great summer on the flat, and he looks to have a nice prospect for hurdling in the form of The Lightmaker. 

He made his debut at Chepstow in what would turn out to be a very strong race. Always in a prominent position, he travelled up well, showing plenty of speed but just unable to reel in the front-running Princess Day. The winner would win a strong mares bumper at Newbury next time out, the third (Presley) featured in this column last week and looks a promising type while Keltype in fourth was an emphatic winner next time out. 

It would be nearly three months before we’d see The Lightmaker again, this time running at Wincanton. Well-backed after his debut effort was well advertised, it developed into a messy race; prominent on the inside, the field was well grouped when the pace lifted turning for home. The Lightmaker found his initial effort blocked by the front running Le Cold Grey, before that rival would hinder another effort which saw The Lightmaker squeezed out by a pair of greys. That ruined any chance of victory, but it was another promising effort even if the form isn’t of the same substance as his debut. 

By Highland Reel and out of a 2yo flat winner, The Lightmaker has shown plenty of speed and a good attitude thus far and could make an immediate impact over hurdles. 

Dan Horsford says: “The Lightmaker has done well physically over the Summer and will go novice hurdling. Like all our bumper horses, he was schooled over hurdles and will start over 2m away from extremes of ground. We would expect mid to late October to be the start point”