Ten horses to watch in the jumps season

Jon Freeman picks his stable of hopes on the Festival and Aintree trail

Barry Geraghty and More Of That (left) climb the hill to win the Steel Plate and Sections Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham last week (Getty)

It might seem tempting to load up any jumping 10 to follow list with horses trained by Willie Mullins following his record-breaking eight wins at the Cheltenham Festival last March. We can be sure the Irish champion will again have a huge say this season with the likes of Faugheen, Douvan, Vautour, Annie Power and Un De Sceaux all strong favourites for championship races at next spring’s Festival, along with his new batch of exciting novices.

But putting up these names would be rather stating the obvious. And anyway, jump racing isn’t just about one stable (or just about the Cheltenham Festival, for that matter); everyone else gets a look-in.

So though Mullins-free, I’m confident those in this list – a mix of potential champions, rising stars and unexposed talent – can still make a splash.

Beast Of Burden (trained by Rebecca Curtis)

A decent novice hurdler, he would have won on his debut over fences at Chepstow last month but for one clumsy jump. Chasing is his game and he may even prove good enough to be lining up for one of the staying novice events at the Festival.

Bouvreuil (Paul Nicholls)

Down the field on his return at Cheltenham last weekend, but reportedly needed the run. A sound jumper of hurdles, he should do really well when switched to chasing, the sort to run up a sequence.

Don Cossack (Gordon Elliott)

Improved no end towards the end of last season, hacking up at Aintree before beating Djakadam and Road To Riches at Punchestown last April more decisively than Coneygree had the previous month in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. With proven stamina, he is the whole package for next year’s Blue Riband.

Irish Cavalier (Rebecca Curtis)

Seemed to be a young chaser going big places this season, so it was a surprise to see him go out like a light in the Paddy Power Gold Cup after looking certain to win turning for home, even on ground softer than ideal. Don’t give up on this grey yet.

More Of That (Jonjo O’Neill)

Already a champion (won the 2014 World Hurdle), but now one very much to follow over fences. Did not much more than he had to on his recent chasing debut at Cheltenham, but that’s his style – quite lightly raced, but an old pro. If he stays sound and healthy he could become one of the modern-day greats.

Peace And Co (Nicky Henderson)

Faugheen had been so impressive while winning his first 10 races that it was a jolt to see him beaten last Sunday. But that defeat has given hope to the rest, not least this rival, four wins from four after winning an above-average Triumph Hurdle last March and with the scope to progress into a formidable foe.

Shantou Village (Neil Mulholland)

Also unbeaten and though the form evidence is limited – he beat just three rivals on his first proper hurdles test at Cheltenham last weekend – it was hard not to be impressed by the manner of his victory and he should be a genuine Festival contender.

Superb Story (Dan Skelton)

Clear of the rest when outpointed by Old Guard in the Greatwood Hurdle and that winner is regarded as Champion Hurdle material. Much improved this season and surely up to winning a good race or two before the handicapper catches up with him.

The Druids Nephew (Neil Mulholland)

West Tip fell at Becher’s when looking likely to win the 1985 Grand National, only to come back and triumph the following year. Now 30 years on another chaser in his prime will be looking to put the record straight after taking an unlucky tumble with immortality in his grasp at Aintree last April. In the meantime, he will not be just making up the numbers in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury next weekend.

Un Ace (Kim Bailey)

Failed to fire at last year’s Festival, but gives the distinct impression he has a big handicap chase in him when ground conditions are favourable (no worse than good to soft).

Rebecca Curtis trains two promising chasers in Beast Of Burden and Irish Cavalier