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Peter Naughton's 2026-27 Jumps Horses to Follow

Last Updated: Thu 22 Oct 2026

Racing TV presenter Peter Naughton shares some names to note from his National Hunt notebook for the weeks and months ahead.

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As the seasons change and thoughts turn from the Flat to the jumpers, I find it extremely helpful to be able to dip into my National Hunt notebook to refresh the mind in preparation for the winter months.

Here is a selection of horses expected to pay their way in the new campaign, so put them in your Racing TV Tracker and enjoy.

(the rule of thumb is to keep with them for two runs, unless otherwise stated).

Click here for more of Peter's free notebook horses http://www.peternaughton.com

A PAI DE NOM

Saturday 14th March

A Pai De Nom: Peter Naughton's Racing TV Club Magazine Horse to Follow. (Pic: Francesca Altoft - focusonracing.com)

Travelled best in the 3m handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter but was beaten a length by Doughmore Boy. The runner-up is two years the winner's junior and will improve. He was well clear of the third after strong support and is sure to improve. I highlighted A Pai De Nom as my horse to follow this season in the Racing TV magazine.

I wrote last time:

A Pai De Nom relished the step up to an extended 3m at Haydock. Dan Skelton's classy six-year-old was in touch with the leaders before the sixth and challenged two-out. He was pushed along on the run-in and won going away by five lengths. All options are on the table for the spring and better ground (heavy today) will suit in handicaps at the festivals.

BERKENSHTAAAP

Thursday 15th October

Landed some terrific bets for the notebook (5-1) in the 2m4f handicap chase at Perth. Olly Murphy's highly regarded six-year-old was held up in rear and made headway from five-out. He made a bad mistake at the third-last but rallied from the next and needed only to be pushed out on the run-in for a comfortable success over favourite Kado Sacree. Berkenshtaap is open to any amount of improvement after this return from 174 days off.

I wrote last time:

Berkenshtaaap initiated a superb 14-1 double for the notebook in the 2m4f novices' handicap hurdle at Perth. Olly Murphy's progressive six-year-old, who was backed from 4-1 into 3-1, was in rear but made made headway on the outer before two-out. He went second soon after and switched right when two lengths down at the last. Berkenshtaap kept on well to lead favourite Mr Jukebox in the final strides-front two clear- and this quality son of Berkshire has more to offer.

I wrote the time before:

In the novices' handicap hurdle at Haydock, Berkenshtaaap travelled strongly when up from 2m to 2m5f.

Olly Murphy's six-year-old was returning from 97 days and made headway from rear at the fifth. He led at the eight but lost his position after four-out. Berkenshtaap lost second after two-out and soon weakened but a return to shorter could suit this quality son of Berkshire. He can build on this very promising handicap debut.

BIG LOVE

Monday 20th April

Landed some fine bets for the notebook when relishing the step up to 2m2f in the handicap hurdle at Kelso. The quality son of Postponed was short of room in rear at the seventh but made headway three-out. He wasn't fluent when second two-out but went clear after the last to easily beat elders. Big Love has a big future and there's plenty of scope off 94.

Big Love had caught the eye running on well in the 2m handicap hurdle at Wetherby.

Jamie Hamilton's mount lacked fluency in rear early but put in his best work in the final two furlongs.

That was a highly encouraging handicap debut off 89 and there are surely more races to be won.

BOSSMAN JACK

Saturday 11th April

Bossman Jack was a comfortable winner of the Mersey Novices' Hurdle in April.

Landed some terrific bets for the notebook (11-4) in the Grade One Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. Dan Skelton's classy six-year-old was in touch with the leaders and made headway three-out. He led after the next and went clear on the run-in. A highly regarded son of Jack Hobbs, he'll be even more exciting over fences this season.

Bossman Jack was finishing strongly when making a bad error at the last in the 2m5f Grade One Turners Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Dan Skelton's classy six-year-old was in rear but made headway on the outer from three-out. Disputing third and closing on the leaders, Bossman Jack clouted the last and couldn't recover.

He finished a creditable sixth but would have been much closer with a better final leap.

The well bred son of Jack Hobbs won a novice hurdle at Ffos Las in January.

He easily defied a penalty at Chepstow last month and was fancied to benefit from this step up beyond 2m.

CALL TO DUTY

Thursday 17th July

Was ridden with supreme confidence before getting up late to beat hot favourite Betty's Tiara in the 2m7f maiden hurdle at Worcester.

Harry Cobden's mount was keen through the first circuit and widest throughout but found plenty for strong pressure after the last.

The unexposed six-year-old was winning at the ninth attempt over hurdles but most defeats were over shorter and he ran well when stepped up to this distance at the track in May.

Call To Duty can build on this first start in 55 days, especially granted a faster pace in handicaps.

CAVE BRIDGE

Saturday 1st November

Harry Cobden told Niall Hannity more about Cave Bridge after his latest run.

Was good after the last in the 2m novices' hurdle at Wetherby.

Harry Cobden's mount jumped well and led after the third before putting the race to bed on the run-in, despite carrying a penalty.

The winning jockey was impressed and said there is more to come when up in trip in handicaps.

The successful 3m pointer cost 40,000 euros in May and won at Carlisle on hurdle debut two weeks ago.

CECILIA STAR

Saturday 21st March

At Newbury, Cecilia Star qualified for a low mark when fourth in the extended 2m novices' hurdle.

Lucy Wadham's four-year-old filly faced a stiff task against older geldings but was in touch with the leaders before tiring under hand-riding from two-out.

The well bred daughter of Sea The Stars idled in front when winning a juvenile hurdle over course and distance three weeks ago and there is plenty of improvement to come when switching to handicaps.

JAPETUS

Saturday 17th January

Was considered good enough for a marked step up in class in the Grade Two Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle at Haydock but finished fourth. In touch with the leaders, he wasn't fluent at the third, or fourth but wasn't far behind classy winner Old Park Star turning for home. True, Japetus tired after the second-last but showed abundant promise and remains very exciting. A slight drop in class should see him return to winning ways.

I wrote last time:

Nicky Richards' highly regarded Japetus justified strong support in the extended 2m novices' hurdle.

The classy four-year-old son of Sea The Moon was prominent and led before two-out. He was ridden approaching the last and gave 7lb and a four-length beating to five-year-old Quaviste, who was running well when unseating at the last over course and distance a month ago.

Japetus won bumpers at Newcastle and Hexham in the spring and battled to win over course and distance on hurdling debut last month.

The winning trainer revealed to me: "There isn't a horse in the pointing fields that can beat this fellow I can still do the job as well as anyone when given a good horse like this one."

JESUILA DES MOTTES

Saturday 18th January

Improved markedly for the step up to 3m on handicap debut at Taunton.

Emma Lavelle's tongue-tied six-year-old was third in maidens at Lingfield and Southwell and relished the extra three furlongs.

James Best's mount was always moving smoothly and overcame a trouble passed to easily hold favourite Badbury Rings; front two clear.

Expect much progress from the winner.

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KENT DE THAIX

Friday 27th March

Produced a fine performance on his first start for Sam England when winning the 3m handicap hurdle at Wetherby.

The unexposed six-year-old, who was formerly trained by Rebecca Menzies, made good headway from rear and went second three-out.

He led at the next and kept on well to beat American Mike by almost two lengths; front two clear.

The French-bred jumps well and can improve again. A dual Irish point winner, Kent de Thaix can build on this second handicap start. Expect plenty of progress over fences.

KING OF ANSWERS

Wednesday 23rd September

Put a line through his defeat in the 3m handicap chase at Perth. The well bred son of Malinas, who was returning from 158 days off, was in rear when very badly hampered by a faller at the ninth. He was also hampered by another faller when almost losing his jockey two-out. King Of Answers remains an exciting prospect.

I wrote last time:

Put a line through his defeat in the Scottish Grand National. Run on unseasonably heavy ground, this was a gruelling test and King Of Answers was treated for heat stress by the Vet. He'll be one to follow next season.

L'AMANDINE

Tuesday 14th October

Justified short odds in the 2m mares' maiden hurdle at Southwell. Jamie Snowden's daughter of Maxios led, and although headed at the third, led again after three-out and kept on well, despite a mistake at the last. She is bred to improve and will do well over further when switching to handicaps. Expect her fitness to improve after this first start in 190 days.

I wrote last time:

L'Amandine successfully returned from 81 days off at Fakenham. Jamie Snowden's four-year-old beat odds-on Hidden Fortune in the mares' bumper; front two clear. L'Amandine was ridden to press the pace over three-out and led inside the final furlong. The half-sister to two bumper winners kept on with the promise of more to come, especially when jumping hurdles.

MANGANESE

Thursday 12th March

Ran a mighty race at huge odds when a close seventh in the Grade Two Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Max Comley's four-year-old filly was stepping up in class and facing elders but deserves bundles of credit. Keen, she was prominent but lost her position before the last, yet kept on in the final half-furlong. She would be very interesting off 125 if switching to handicaps, especially against her own sex.

I noted last time:

At Doncaster, Manganese impressed when up in class in the fillies' Listed juvenile hurdle.

Max Comley's quality four-year-old jumped impeccably and travelled sweetly to make all. True, she was pushed along approaching the last and drifted right on the run-in but kept on well to beat favourite Manlaga.

The winner landed a French bumper and did well to win over hurdles at Leicester after encountering trouble. She remains unbeaten and is ready for another step up in class.

MILITARY ALLIANCE

Saturday 1st Novemer

Harry Derham trains two-mile hurdler Military Alliance. (Pic: focusonracing.com)

At Ascot, Military Alliance produced a fine turn of foot to beat odds-on Soomaroy in the 2m novices' hurdle.

Harry Derham's quality six-year-old sat second and Paul O'Brien was happy to allow his market rival first run, knowing his mount would produced a super finishing kick.

Military Alliance will soon receive a mark and will do better in handicaps.

The form of his maiden hurdle success at Hereford in April was boosted several times.

This was his only subsequent start since that stable debut and he's one to follow in 2m handicap hurdles this season.

MINELLA EMPEROR

Sunday 11th October

Landed some fine bets for the Premier List (9-4) in the 3m novices' hurdle at Cork. Emmet Mullins' seven-year-old son of Shantou, who was returning from 190 days off, pressed the leaders and led at the fifth. He was headed at the eighth but led again before three-out.

Minella Emperor went clear approaching the last and won comfortably, so expect more good performances when reverting to handicaps.

I wrote last time:

At Haydock, Minella Emperor ran well when second to favourite Champagne Chic in the extended 3m Pertemps Qualifier.

Emmet Mullins' improving seven-year-old, who was stepping up in trip on handicap debut, lost his prominent position when pushed along after the seventh but rallied before three-out.

He went second but drifted left approaching the last, despite coming clear of the third.

A dual bumper winner on good ground, Minella Emperor clearly acts in testing conditions too.

MON CHAMPION

Saturday 14th March

Proved well ahead of his rating when winning the extended 2m3f handicap chase at Fontwell.

Paul Nicholls' unexposed six-year-old was always moving well and found plenty when pressured all the way up the home straight.

The quality French-bred was beaten in a hot handicap at Newbury last month but benefited from this drop in class.

He could do very well in handicap chases off 122.

MONTREGARD

Saturday 2nd May

Tom Lacey's Montregard finished a fine third at the Punchestown Festival in May.

Connections are looking forward to his return in the 3m handicap chase on Saturday 31st October.

He had been kept on the boil and ready to run for several weeks having missed a couple of engagements due to unsuitable ground. Connections' patience was always rewarded with a close third in the extended 3m Listed handicap chase at Punchestown. Returning from 77 days off, the visored seven-year-old was wide in midfield and made steady headway from the twelfth. Disputing the lead turning for home, Montregard was challenging when hitting the second-last. He stayed on and can remain competitive in similarly valuable staying chases.

I wrote last time:

Montregard proved very well treated off 118 when travelling well throughout the 3m handicap chase at Ascot. The vastly improving seven-year-old was always in touch with the leaders and made headway three-out. Still going well two-out, he kept on when ridden out after the last. Montregard is thriving and will be very hard to beat in valuable handicaps in the spring.

MR HOPE STREET

Saturday 11th April

Mr Hope Street was last seen winning at the Grand National Festival.

Remains a novice until 1st December, so connections are planning to target novice chases, or take advantage of his mark in premier handicaps.

Mr Hope Street landed some fabulous bets (4-1) for the notebook. He travelled well in rear and had nothing to do with a fast gallop.

Ridden confidently, the progressive eight-year-old challenged after two-out and battled bravely to beat market rival Lookaway. Mr Hope Street was a close third to The Jukebox Man and Iroko at Haydock in November and stays very strongly.

He could be aimed at the Scottish National next season.

I wrote previously:

Mr Hope Street ran a mighty race against progressive and classy rivals when a highly creditable third to The Jukebox Man and Iroko in the extended 2m5f Graduation Chase at Haydock.

Dan Skelton's fine gelding, who was having only his second chase start, was keen in rear and outpaced when slightly hampered three-out. He was bumped at the last but ran on well.

Mr Hope Street can surely win off 127 after this fine performance in receipt of only a few pounds from 150-plus rated rivals.

SAPPINGIRL

Friday 19th December

Will be campaigned in novice hurdles over 2m4f with juice in the ground.

Sappingirl wasn't disgraced when pitched into Listed company at Ascot on only his second start (he's a gelding despite the name) after 54 days off. Paul Nicholls' well bred son of Blue Bresil was in midfield but hung left four-out and could make no impression in the home straight. The future is bright for Sappingirl, who will have learned plenty here.

I wrote last time:

Sappingirl was a close second in the bumper at Fontwell, despite looking very green. Paul Nicholls' well regarded four-year-old was fancied in a field of newcomers and always prominent but didn't handle the bends too well. The well bred son of Blue Bresi was narrowly denied by Katios Queen-front two clear- but will be better on a galloping track.

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SKERRY HILL

Saturday 18th April

An exciting novice hurdler with "an impressive engine", according to connections.

In the bumper at Ayr, Skerry Hill landed some fabulous bets (3-1) for the notebook.

Gordon Elliott's classy son of Order Of St George travelled strongly in touch with the leaders and was still going easily over two-out.

He led at the furlong pole and kept on to beat fancied Old Habits. Skerry Hill won a point and a bumper on his two other starts and can continue to repay his £205,000 price tag. He acts very well on rain-softened ground.

THE DOG THIEF

Friday 24th April

A 3m point winner at Alnwick, he's a very exciting prospect for fences.

Initiated a stunning 14-1 double for the notebook in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at Perth. The well bred son of Califet was in touch with the leaders and went second after the sixth but wasn't fluent when leading four-out. He hung left after two-out and jumped left at the last but kept on well on the run-in to beat market rival Jack Hyde. The Dog Thief is an improving six-year-old and might do even better on a left-handed track.

I wrote last time:

The Dog Thief landed some great bets for the notebook (11-4) in the extended 2m4f maiden hurdle at Market Rasen. Tom Ellis' highly regarded six-year-old was in touch with the leaders and made headway to press the leader before two-out. He led after the last and kept on well. Winning jockey Jack Andrews told me on Racing TV: " He'll be a Saturday horse over fences."

THE GEM STATE

Wednesday 1st April

Finished second in a bumper in April and Paul Nicholls will likely give him one more run in a bumper before jumping hurdles. Bought by Anthony Bromley, this strong, athletic gelding is expected to be a very special 3m chaser in the longer term. He is Middleham Park Racing's most exciting National Hunt prospect.

TWO TO TANGO

Monday 5th October

Ran a mighty race when a close second in the extended 2m6f handicap chase at Stratford.

Emma Lavelle's eight-year-old son of Kayf Tara was suited by this step up from 2m2f and made headway before four-out. He led after the second-last but ruined his chance with an awkward jump at the last.

Still, this was a fine effort to split fancied seven-year-olds Melton Mossy and Premier Fantasy. Two To Tango should be winning soon, as he's on a good mark.

VALTTERI ITS JAMES

Sunday 4th October

Ran well when third in the 2m5f conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle.

Jack Power's mount headed the chasing group behind clear leader Malangen and went in pursuit of that gelding two-out.

Two lengths down when not fluent at the last, Valtteri Its James used up a lot of energy to close the gap and was passed late on by favourite Luminaries. Expect improvement after this first start in 155 days.

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