Welcome to my Five to follow series which takes a look at the upcoming winter jumps campaign, hang on, wait a minute, we have more than five of everything this time around? Wow.
That's true, this year I don't just have five horses for you to follow and keep an eye on, even though most of them will be impossible to miss because they will be making headlines I'm sure of it, I have 10, which cover handicaps, hurdles and fences, as well as 10 jockeys to follow and some trainers as well.
Last year's selections were marred with problems unfortunately, but that's racing and I'm just grateful that they are all ok still.
My Drogo fell on his long-awaited chasing debut when looking like he was the winner all the way, and then got things back on track next time out when he won at Cheltenham in December.
After that run though scans at Dan Skelton's yard revealed the promising novice chaser had suffered a tendon injury which meant he needed time off to let it heal properly, and I don't think we will be seeing on a racecourse before Christmas at the very earliest.
Shishkin rocked up and beat Energumene at Ascot, but that seemed to take a lot out of him and when he rocked up at Cheltenham, he never travelled a yard, and scans back at Nicky Henderson's later revealed he had a bone issue which ruled him out for the rest of the season as well.
Bravemansgame started the season really well but fell apart towards the back end of the campaign, but I've not given up on him yet as I think he learnt a lot during that first season over fences, and I think he will be better for it this time around.
Sir Gerhard did win at Cheltenham at least, but he didn't turn up at Punchestown next time around, but he did have a good season at least, and Bob Olinger also won at Cheltenham, he was well beaten by Galopin Des Champs at the time but still.
He then pulled up on his latest start and looked like a work in progress throughout last campaign, and hopefully over the summer he's freshened himself up and is ready to go again like Bravemansgame.
So let's not wait around any longer then, we've done the review, so now let's take a look at my ten horses to follow for the upcoming winter months, and right through to Cheltenham next March.
Horses
Jonbon - Nicky Henderson
First up on my list is Jonbon, who was pitch perfect last year over hurdles, he was swept aside by stable mate Constitution Hill at Cheltenham, but as we'll see in the next bit, he was just a whole different kind of horse, and I do think that's the reason why we will see Jonbon over a fence this year.
One race I think last season which I saw as a standout from him wasn't any of his facile victories, but the one that he produced at Haydock, where he ran in ground which he didn't like in the slightest, and he had to get down and tough it out in the run in, which showed he had plenty of heart, and that's something that I felt like I needed to see from him.
It'll be interesting to see where he starts off and also to see how he jumps his first fence in public, but he's got all the ingredients there already to suggest that he could better over a fence than hurdles.
Constitution Hill - Nicky Henderson
As mentioned up above, he was just an absolute superstar last year, there's no other way to describe it. A perfect three from three and that demolition job at Cheltenham was just sensational.
He poses a real threat to Honeysuckle's unbeaten record this term because Nicky Henderson surely has to run him against the mare at some point doesn't he?
For a horse to have gone through is races with so much ease like he has done, he would be rude to avoid, and he is one that you absolutely must keep on the right side of this year wherever he ends up going.
No to mention he is only five, which means he shouldn't have even come close to hitting his prime yet.
Bravemansgame - Paul Nicholls
Did I mention him last year? Yes I did, but I still think this horse didn't achieve anything near what he is capable of last season.
He was four from four before he missed Cheltenham due to the ground, and then he struggled at Aintree, but like I said earlier up in the blog, he learnt a lot and he's going to be so much better for it this time around and I think he can put things right for sure for that disappointing Aintree run.
On the whole, he was flawless for his first four wins, and he has shown me plenty over the last two seasons alone in order for me to be able to keep the faith in him and I think he was always going to get better with age like a fine wine as they say.
Get A Tonic - Dan Skelton
This year I'm not just looking at horses that are targeting all the big races, I've listed some potentially useful handicappers who could well be up to racing at a much higher level still.
Get A Tonic for the Skelton's progressed with every run she had last year and finished placed on all seven of her starts over hurdles.
She won at Ayr last time out off a mark of 130 and it really is open for the six-year-old this year as to where she goes, because she can either contest in those top graded handicaps or take the dive back into deeper waters.
Again, she looked like with every run last campaign she improved, and now she's also had a summer to freshen herself up ready I think she could be a real force to be reckoned with this season, hence why she makes my list.
Fonzerelli - Rebecca Menzies
I chatted to Fonzerelli's jockey Nathan Moscrop before the season last year to see what horses he liked for the year, and this was one horse he mentioned.
Rebecca Menzies is a trainer who just keeps improving and improving, and I know for a fact that this horse's last run at Hexham where she was a beaten odds-on favourite was nothing close to what she can produce.
The time before that she showed just how useful she could be with a good performance to win a Novice's Listed Hurdle at Doncaster, beating Get A Tonic, and as mentioned above that mare went on to win off a mark of 130 next time up so, wherever Fonzerelli ends up this season, she could be one who sneaks in under the radar and is one I recommend keeping an extra close eye on.
Facile Vega - Willie Mullins
Four from four in National Hunt Flat races last year, and success in the Cheltenham bumper meant he went straight into the tracker ahead of his novice hurdling campaign this season.
He has to be the hottest prospect to go novice hurdling this year, and if he has kept all of that ability from last year and even improved a little bit, he could be really dangerous, and end up racking up another few impressive victories.
Gaelic Warrior - Willie Mullins
I really did think he was the handicap plot job of the entire season last time out at Cheltenham I really did.
Bought out of France and on his first start over here, money came for him in the Boodles left, right and centre, and in the end, I think he got out battled by a horse that just had that bit more experience I guess, but there was plenty to like about the way he ran off a mark of 129.
There are no real clues that I can see that suggest what he goes onto next, but again he showed enough for me in that one run alone to tell me that his best is still to come.
Galvin - Gordon Elliott
Disappointed would be the way I would describe how this horse's last few runs went at the end of his last campaign.
He didn't seem to kick on from his Savills Chase win at Christmas time and that's not like him at all because he is usually so consistent.
His last two runs definitely didn't showcase what he's capable of, my only worry with him is that the next horse in this list is maybe a bit ahead of him.
A Plus Tard - Henry De Bromhead
The Gold Cup was potentially not as strong as it had been in recent years, but nonetheless this horse produced a stunning display to win it.
He is very classy, and I think that he'll fancy his chances of adding another Gold Cup to his tally this season.
Fiddlerontheroof - Joe Tizzard
My fancy for the Grand National, and he gave it a great effort I must say. I liked everything this horse did last season and I hope he can just do it all again, except this time maybe win the National!
He's a good strong stayer who is a fantastic jumper to match that and for these long-distance races that's a perfect combination.
I'm keeping him in my notebook for the National again, and I think you should add him in too.
Jockeys
Sean Bowen
Onto jockeys now, because every good horse needs a good pilot on board don't, they? Sean Bowen has been riding extremely well throughout the summer, but he's always been someone who I think has always had that ability there.
At the time of writing this, he's recorded 55 winners from 212 rides, giving him a strike rate of 26%, and Bowen will be busy throughout the winter to make sure he can keep up that impressive strike rate.
Brian Hughes
The Champion jockey who just rides winner after winner after winner and deserves every single bit of success and praise he gets.
He already sits at the top of the Championship on 73 winners, and with Donald McCain looking as though he's got a really strong team ready for the winter, Hughes could really kick on and just keep bringing up the winners.
Harry Skelton
A jockey who has been quiet for the summer, but one who will be very busy throughout the next few months, Harry and his brother Dan have changed their strategy in recent seasons in order to set their targets on winning some of the bigger races that racing has to offer.
With plenty of good horses to look forward to as always, he'll be making sure that he's in amongst the winners as much as possible.
Harry Cobden
Cobden has been very similar to Skelton through the summer months, riding only when necessary, and making sure he has himself in top form ahead of some big rides in the winter.
With Paul Nicholls backing him once more, Cobden could once again find himself with plenty of graded glory in his hands.
Liam Harrison
A jockey who has seemingly learned from the more experienced Paddy Brennan, Liam Harrison is someone not just to keep an eye out for this year, but also down the line in the future.
He will only continue to get better and better, and he has an excellent partnership with Fergal O'Brien that will help continue to see him progress.
Rachel Blackmore
She just keeps delivering year after year does Rachel Blackmore, and everyone in the racing world just seems to love her, and rightly so.
Plent of good horses to ride as always, and so much talent to go with it, Blackmore will more than likely be delivering the goods once more this time around.
Jordan Gainford
A name I mentioned in the blog last year, Gainford caught my eye as a jockey to watch in the upcoming seasons with his brilliant ride aboard The Shunter at the Cheltenham Festival all the way back in 2021 and he is still someone to watch.
Paul Townend
Like Blackmore and so many others in this piece, he's got plenty of fantastic horses to ride thanks to Willie Mullins.
Impossible to keep out of the big winner's picture, and he'll be riding plenty of them before the season is over with.
Brendan Powell
Rode really well for Joe Tizzard last season and could still quite easily find himself with plenty of success still to come.
Has a real good partnership there with Tizzard and has some nice horses to look forward to.
Sam Twiston-Davies
He's someone who is very consistent and always gives his absolute all in the saddle no matter what and is another jockey who has been riding plenty of winners throughout the summer, should continue that through the winter.
Trainers
Fergal O'Brien/Graeme McPherson
Has had another good summer and will definitely have a very busy winter as well with plenty of winners throughout it.
Still an up-and-coming trainer who has progressed rapidly and continues to climb towards the top.
Dan Skelton
A change in strategies which allows him to challenge Paul Nicholls for the championship, Skelton is still a trainer who is growing and learning each season.
He'll have plenty of winners and will be hoping he can have a crack at beating Nicholls this time.
Paul Nicholls
Always top of his game, and each year continues to find more and more talent in his yard, alongside keeping some of his older horses at their very best, will be pushing for another trainer's championship, although Skelton and Henderson will be after him.
Willie Mullins
Like Nicholls he just keeps on producing the goods, will be as good as ever this season again.
Gordon Elliott
Always produces plenty of winners and will be challenging Mullins once again for the trainer's championship in Ireland.
Henry De Bromhead
Has developed into a trainer who is a threat not just over in Ireland to Mullins and Elliott but also over here as well.
A yard that also seems to be getting better and better still, Bromhead has plenty of his big horses to look forward to again this season.
Donald McCain
Has a real strong team in his yard this winter and could be able to give his stable jockey Brian Hughes plenty of winners.
That is it then, a bumper edition with plenty of information throughout, as always, they are just my views and I've tried to pick a few different horses in here compared to recent years, so I hope you do enjoy and find it useful.
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