The new jumps season officially begins, and trainers and enthusiasts alike are looking closely at the prospects set to make an impact over the coming months. Among them, Nicky Henderson’s Old Park Star is being tipped as a strong contender for top honors this season, having impressed with a flawless record over hurdles last year, including a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle triumph at Cheltenham.
Old Park Star, unbeaten over timber with four consecutive victories, demonstrated a blend of speed and stamina that positions him well for the Arkle Challenge Trophy or possibly longer distances around two and a half miles. Henderson’s confident approach reflects the horse’s adaptability and racing attitude, suggesting a promising transition to chasing.
Other notable prospects include No Drama This End, trained by Paul Nicholls, who distinguished himself last season with Grade 2 victories at Cheltenham and Sandown and captured the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury. Rated 144 and set to make the step into novice chasing, No Drama This End carries high expectations in the staying chase division.
Dan Skelton presents two intriguing candidates. Harry Lowes, a consistent performer over hurdles, won at Exeter and Bangor last season and impressed at Aintree despite a costly error. Skelton plans to keep him over hurdles with the Greatwood Handicap as a potential target. Kabral Du Mathan showed exceptional speed and dominance in hurdle races until being stretched too far in the Stayers’ Hurdle; Skelton now views chasing as the next phase, with the Arkle or Manifesto Chase as likely objectives.
Rebecca Curtis-trained Doujadou, rated 129, steps over fences with promise after solid performances against future Grade 1 winners. The horse’s stamina is a key asset, and tougher tests over fences are anticipated to enhance his development.
Willie Mullins’ Even Tho, unbeaten in two starts, demonstrated stamina and class with wins at Punchestown and Limerick. With stamina evident in her pedigree, graded-level races appear within reach as she targets distances beyond two miles.
Ben Pauling’s Mondoui’boy showed versatility and staying power, delivering a notable performance in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham. The transition to novice chasing is expected to suit his profile well, with early targets possibly focusing on distances slightly shorter than his preferred three miles.
Nicky Henderson also has Khrisma among his lineup, a mare who excelled on soft ground last season and remains a strong candidate in big handicaps. Her performances, including a notable victory over a future Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Final winner, underline her potential at two miles, particularly on soft going.
Harry Derham’s Le Frimeur capped last season with a Grade 1 win in a staying novice hurdle at Punchestown and is likely to remain over hurdles this season. Although capable of fences from his pointing days, he is expected to further develop his hurdling prowess at extended distances.
Other horses to keep an eye on include Olly Murphy’s The Blue Room, who showed promise over hurdles but is now expected to benefit from chasing over three miles, and Noel Meade’s The Mourne Rambler, the Champion Bumper winner with a strong turn of foot suited to good ground and two-mile novice hurdles, making races like the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse plausible next steps.
Also among Henderson’s promising juveniles is Prince Rupert, a well-bred son of Golden Horn who made a winning bumper debut at Kempton. His powerful finish and racing style suggest he could emerge as a serious contender in juvenile hurdles, potentially targeting the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
As the jumps season unfolds, these horses represent some of the brightest prospects targeting key handicaps and graded events, with trainers carefully plotting their progression in a highly competitive landscape.