Andy Holding’s 10 to follow for the National Hunt season, featuring two early pointers for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
Working on the basis that no horses to follow list from any discernible tipster should contain the likes of Constitution Hill, Galopin Des Champs and Jonbon etc., here are 10 names under the radar that should pay their way over the coming months.
HELLO NEIGHBOUR – Gavin Cromwell
Bottler’secret was a big hit for his handler in the juvenile ranks last season, almost rounding off his campaign with a victory at Grade 1 level, and there is every chance that Hello Neighbour will be another cab off the rank.
Like his stable mate, the son of Harzand heads into the winter courtesy of two victories on the Flat and each time, he has shown a fair degree of ability.
Firstly, he proved too good for more experienced rivals over 1m6f at Navan and then he exhibited another string to his bow by winning over a much shorter trip at Roscommon last time out.
Physically, he has the scope and characteristics to mould himself into a smart juvenile hurdler and housed in one of the upwardly mobile training centres in Ireland, he has the platform to become one of the leading players for the Triumph Hurdle at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
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CELTIC DINO – Sam Thomas
It is not often at this time of year, we see a runner of this class out in an ordinary Wincanton novice hurdle, but the time figure suggested this was no ordinary performance by Sam Thomas’ inmate.
Jumping off sharply in a bid to make all, the five-year-old soon has his rivals at the pin of their collars and maintaining a strong gallop all the way to the line, he posted the sort of time figure associated with graded races.
Considering the son of Doctor Dino was not subject to a challenging time after the last, this was a special effort on hurdling debut and while facing similar conditions (good ground) throughout the rest of the season, he should be a force at a higher level.
FULL CONFESSION – Willie Mullins
There was a good card at Dromahane on April 21 last season and the pick of the seven races was division one of the four-year-old geldings maiden won by the son of Kingston Hill and the data surrounding his performance was also impressive.
Considering how hard they went in the first two miles compared to the rest of the card, it was surprising how well the pace held up on the final circuit and Full Confession saw the test out well.
Now in the care of Willie Mullins, he should easily prove good enough to win a bumper before embarking on a lucrative a career over hurdles and fences.
MINELLA PREMIER – Nicky Henderson
The performance of Minella Premier at Muskerry back in May was enough for new connections to go to 400k to acquire his services and that could turn out to be money well spent.
Although not the quickest overall time on the card – that went the way of Coumeenoole – the son of Shantou was significantly faster on the final circuit to the tune of 4.2 second (roughly 20 lengths) and considering he spent the closing stages running green and star gazing, it was a display of some note.
Described by his previous handler John Nallen as “the most impressive point-to-point winner we’ve every produced” it will be a huge surprise if Nicky Henderson does not get the best out of this exciting recruit.
DISGUISEDLIMIT – Philip Hobbs
Winner of a Curraghmore point back in April, new connections went to 150k to secure his services at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale a week later and based on the evidence of his sole effort so far to date, he looks a shrewd purchase.
Well supported to make a winning debut beforehand, the son of Mahler was always to the fore and after picking up the running three from home, he kept on well to score in decisive fashion.
Easily the fastest of the runners on the card over the first two miles, it is worth noting he maintained that speed to remain top of the pile on the overall times and now in the care of a handler who does well with this sort of prospect, the five-year-old can be seen to good effect in novice hurdles over this side of the Irish Sea.
DIAMOND RI – Joe Tizzard
Although this Diamond Boy gelding did not hit the heights over hurdles last season, he certainly gave out enough signs to suggest he can develop into a lovely chaser in time. At times, it was as if the hurdles were just getting in his way, and it might well be he will treat fences with a bit more respect.
Certainly, the engine remains intact and with very few miles on the clock, the patience afforded to this scopey sort can reap full rewards this season and beyond.
HANDSTANDS – Ben Pauling
Diva Luna and The Jukebox Man could have easily made the list but instead, this gelding by Getaway does the honours from a stable housing an abundance of talent in all departments this season.
Following three straights wins over hurdles, he was thought highly enough of to tackle the Grade 1 Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and although he failed to cut much ice against a stellar field, it was an experience that will hopefully not be lost on the five-year-old going forward.
Reportedly said to have schooled well over fences at home during the summer, Handstands is likely to be aimed at some of the better novices chases in the early part of the campaign and will hopefully prove good enough to head back to the festival and make a bigger impression second time around.
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JACK SPRAT – Jamie Snowden
Jack Sprat made his debut over fences in a useful 2m4f novices’ handicap at Wetherby on his first outing for 205 days and he shaped better than the bare result suggested.
Well off the pace coming out of the back straight at the Yorkshire venue, the son of Walk In The Park stayed on in taking fashion in the final half a mile to finish on the coat tails of the main players and his performance has to go down as a hugely encouraging one for the future.
A winner of a 3m1f handicap hurdle on his final start last term, he should be seen to better effect over further next time and hailing from a stable who do particularly well in this department, the six-year-old is fancied to work his way through the ranks as the season progresses.
BATTLE BORN LAD – Mark Walford
Placed in three bumpers last season, Battle Born Lad made his hurdling debut at Hexham recently and he made a significant impact both visually and on the clock.
Setting out to make all the running, he set solid fractions for the first mile and, in maintaining the gallop throughout, he had enough quality in reserve to fend off the persistent challenge of the well fancied southern raider, Wendigo.
One of the key features of his performance was his fast, accurate jumping and although he is unlikely to be dining at the very top table this season, he should continue to do well against his peers up north.
MAUGHREEN – Willie Mullins
Named after one of the greats from the yard, Faugheen, this daughter of Walk In The Park passed the eye test when making a sparkling debut at Punchestown back January and the clock backed up the visually impression too.
One of the market leaders for last season’s Champion Bumper following that emphatic success, she met a setback which unfortunately kept her off the track for the rest of the season but providing all is well with Willie Mullins’ mare, she should take high rank in novice races against her own sex – with the target being the Mares’ Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.