2026/27 Jumps Issue 1 - News before the off

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Cheltenham 

1.45 Derryhassen Paddy 

Saturday 

Cheltenham

1.45 Kabral Du Mathan, Baron Noir, Old Park Star, 

2.20 Meetmebythesea, Madara, Torneo, Johnnywho

3.30 Daylatedollarshort

Navan 

3.18 King Rasco Grey, Mighty Park

Wetherby 

1.55 Attin

2.30 Torneo

Sunday 

Cheltenham

1.25 Crystal Island, Kalkbrenner

3.10 Harry Lowes

Fontwell

1.43 Bass Hunter

Navan

2.25 King Rasko Grey

News

Cristal D’Estruval was cut for two Cheltenham Festival novice chase targets after making an impressive return from a 330-day absence with a dominant chasing debut win. Paddy Power cut the five-year-old to 14-1 (from 50) for the Arkle and 33-1 (from 50) for the Brown Advisory after he brushed aside Be Aware in the 2m graduation chase. The 12-length winning margin was aided by a fluent round of jumping, but winning trainer Harry Derham said he was “not surprised” by the performance.

Willie Mullins hits out at Cheltenham ground. He opened Closutton to the media yesterday and had some punchy comments about how we won't see good horses at Cheltenham if the ground isn't softer.

"I'm a bit worried," he said. "A lot of damage was done the last two days of Cheltenham [Festival] last season because they hadn't watered it properly. If they want the horses who race on soft ground and nice ground all winter to appear there, I think they have to produce the ground for those horses,"

"People with really good horses won't go there and that's why I worry. If we see that trend happening, we're going to change." Mullins suggested that shift may already be under way, adding: "A lot more of my owners are heading towards Aintree or Punchestown."

Sadly we reflect on Tom O’Brien who passed away on Tuesday 

Philip Hobbs, the man for whom multiple Grade 1-winning jockey Tom O'Brien rode his entire career, has paid an emotional tribute following his former stable jockey's death aged 39 after a battle with cancer.

O'Brien enjoyed a distinguished career in the saddle, highlighted by success at the Cheltenham Festival and two Welsh Grand National victories. He was a key figure in Hobbs's operation from moving to Britain until retiring at Sandown's end-of-season meeting in April 2023.

"The whole thing is desperately sad, particularly for his wife Hayley and his two kids. It's very, very sad," Hobbs told the Racing Post. "He rode an awful lot of winners for us and we had great times, but it's just very sad that his life has been taken from him so early."

Just one of O'Brien's 1,077 career victories came in Ireland, aboard the Hobbs-trained I Hear A Symphony at the Punchestown festival in 2008. Other Grade 1 successes came in the Tolworth Novices' Hurdle aboard Finian's Oscar in 2017 and Elixir De Nutz in 2019, while Thyme Hill landed the Liverpool Hurdle in 2021 before winning the Kauto Star Novices' Chase the following year. Upon retiring from the saddle O'Brien worked as a BHA steward.

2026/27 Jumps - The points scorers

Lossiemouth was the top scorer in the last jumps season - will we have a repeat winner?

2026/27 Jumps - The Single Picks

Bob (14) - Attin, Brighterdaysahead, Cristal D'Estruval, Derryhassen Paddy, Gaelic Warrior, Gatineau Park, Moore Brion, Narciso Has, Premier Division, Rattlin Home, Upon Tweed, Witches Familiar, Woodhoh, Zeus Power

Cliff (13) - Alexei, Dino Blue, Fact to File, Kingland, Madara, Mambonumberfive, Metronomique, New Rules, Point of Difference, Romeo Coolio, Steel Ally, Torneo, We're Red and Blue

Cod (10) - Air of Entitlement, Barton Snow, Captain Cody, Heart Wood, I Am Maximus, Idem, Johnny Who, Koktail Divin, Mighty Park, Soldier in Milan

Martin (11) - A Poi De Nom, Delamotte, Diva Luna, Getawhiskey, Harry Lowes, He's On Fire, Just For Dad, Kalkbrenner, Lump Sum, Mourne Crystal, The New Lion

Neil (12) - Boycetown, Dastan, Grey Dawning, Innamorato, Instant Fragile, Louis Winthorpe, Low Kick, Masaccio, Mellisse Du Mathan, Mille et un Vies, Sticktotheplan, Unflinching

Peej (6) - Daylatedollarshort, Fleur in the Park, Kargese, Salvator Mundi, The Big Westerner, Vango Can Go

Steve (11) - Baron Noir, Crystal Island, Forthfactor, Jango Baie, Minella Yoga, Nan's Choice, Panic Attack, Prince Rupert, Taurus Bay, The Jukebox Kid, Wendigo, 

In addition the following have single pick retained rights:

Neil - Lossiemouth, No Drama This End

Peej - Haiti Couleurs

2026/27 Jumps - Alphabetical List

Red is reserved rights

Act Of Innocence    Martin, Steve

Air of Entitlement    Cod

Alexi                Cliff

A Pai De Nom   Martin

Attin                Bob

Baron Noir      Steve

Barton Snow    Cod

Bass Hunter      Cod, Steve

Bossman Jack   Martin, Peej

Boycetown      Neil

Brighterdaysahead      Bob

Caldwell Potter   Neil, Peej

Captain Cody      Cod

Cristal D’Estruval    Bob

Crystal Island       Steve

Dastan                 Neil

Daytolatedollarshort   Peej

Delamotte            Martin

Derryhassen Paddy   Bob

Dino Blue            Cliff

Diva Luna            Martin

Fact To File         Cliff

Fairy Park          Bob, Cliff

Final Demand     Cod, Peej

Fleur In The Park     Peej

Forthfactor             Steve

Gaelic Warrior      Bob

Gatineau Park       Bob

Getawhiskey     Martin

Grey Dawning   Neil

Haiti Couleurs       Cod, Peej

Harry Lowes        Martin

Heart Wood            Cod

He’s On Fire          Martin

Hold The Serve       Martin, Neil

I Am Maximus      Cod

Idem                      Cod

Il Etait Temps      Neil, Peej

Innamorato           Neil

Instant Fragile       Neil

Jagwar                   Cod, Peej

Jango Baie             Steve

Johnny Who          Cod

Johnny’s Jury      Cliff, Cod, Neil, Peej, Steve

Just For Dad         Martin

Kabral Du Mathan  Martin, Peej, Steve

Kalkbrenner          Martin

Kargese                  Peej

Kingland              Cliff

King Rasco Grey     Cod, Peej 

Kitzbuhel                Cod, Martin, Neil, Peej

Kopek Des Bordes    Cliff, Cod, Peej

Koktail Divin            Cod

Le Frimeur                  Bob, Steve

Lossiemouth              Cliff, Neil

Louis Winthorpe     Neil

Low Kick                   Neil

Lulamba                    Bob, Martin, Steve

Lump Sum                  Martin

Madara                       Cliff

Mambonumberfive    Cliff

Masaccio                    Neil

Meetmebythesea         Bob, Cod, Martin, Steve

Mellise Du Mathan     Neil

Metromonique            Cliff

Mighty Park                 Cod

Mille Et un Vies         Neil

Minella Yoga              Steve

Moore Brion               Bob

Mourne Crystal          Martin

Nan’s Choice              Steve

Narciso Has                Bob

New Rules                 Cliff

No Drama This End    Neil, Steve

Old Park Star             Bob, Cliff, Martin, Steve

Panic Attack                Steve

Point Of Difference    Cliff

Premier Division        Bob

Prince Rupert              Steve

Rattlin Home              Bob

Roccontier                   Martin, Peej

Romeo Coolio           Cliff

Salvator Mundi           Peej

Saratoga                     Neil, Peej

Sober Glory                 Cliff, Peej

Soldier In Milan        Cod

Steel Ally                     Cliff

St James Finest            Cliff, Neil

Sticktotheplan             Neil

Taurus Bay                  Steve

The Big Westerner      Peej

The Jukebox Kid         Steve

The Mourne Rambler    Bob, Cod

The New Lion              Martin

Torneo                         Cliff

Unflincing                   Neil

Upon Tweed                Bob

Vango Can Go             Peej

Wendigo                       Steve

We’re Red And Blue     Cliff

Witches Familiar           Bob

Woodhoh                        Bob

Zeus Power                     Bob

2026/27 Jumps - The Strings

Cliff  - Alexei, Dino Blue, Fact To File, Fairy Park, Johnny’s Jury, Kingland,  Kopek Des Bordes, Lossiemouth, Madara, Mambonumberfive, Metromonique, New Rules, Old Park Star, Pointofdifference, Romeo Coolio, Sober Glory, St James Finest, Steel Ally, Torneo, Were Red And Blue, 

Neil - Caldwell Potter, Dastan, Grey Dawning, Hold The Serve, Il Etait Temps, Innamotato, Instant Fragile, Johnnys Jury, Kitzbuhel, Lossiemouth, Louis Winthorpe, Low Kick, Masaccio, Melisse Du Mathan, Mille et Un Vies, No Drama This End, Saratoga, St James Finest, Sticktotheplan, Unflinching

 

Martin - Act of innocence ,A Pai de Nom, Bossman Jack, Delamotte, Diva Luna, Getawhisky, Harry Lowes, He’s on fire, Hold the Serve, Just for Dad, Kalkbrenner, Kabral Du Manathan, Kitzbuhel, Lulamba, Lump Sum, Meetmebythesea, Mourne Crystal, Old park star, Roccontier, The new lion                        

Cod -  Air Of Entitlement, Barton Snow, Bass Hunter, Captain Cody, Final Demand, Haiti Couleurs, Heart Wood, I Am Maximus, Idem, Jagwar, Johhny Who, Johnny’s Jury, King Rasco Grey,  Kitzbuhel, Koktail Divin, Kopek Des Bordes, Meetmebythesea, Mighty Park, Soldier in Milan, The Mourne Rambler      

                             

Peej -  Bossman Jack, Caldwell Potter, Daylatedollarshort, Final Demand, Fleur in the Park, Haiti Couleurs, Il Etait Temps, Jagwar, Johnny's Jury, Kabral Du Mathan, Kargese, King Rasko Grey, Kitzbuhel, Kopek Des Bordes, Roccontier, Salvator Mundi, Saratoga, Sober Glory, The Big Westerner, Vango Can Go

Steve - Act of Innocence. Baron Noir, Bass Hunter, Crystal Island. ForthFactor, Jango Baie, Johnny’s Jury, Kabral Du Mathan, Le Frimeur Lullamba, MeetMeByTheSea, Minella Yoga, Nans Choice, No Drama This End Old Park Star, Panic Attack, Prince Rupert, Taurus Bay, The Jukebox Kid Wendigo

Bob - Attin, Brighterdaysahead, Cristal D’Estruval, Derryhassenpaddy, Fairy Park, Gaelic Warrior, Gatineau Park, Le Frimeur, Lulamba, Meetmebythesea, Moore Brion, Narciso Has, Old Park Star, Premier Division, Rattlin Home, The Mourne Rambler, Upon Tweed, Witches Familiar, Woodhoh, Zeus Power

2026/27 Jumps - The Editor's Star Ratings

Hats off to the Editor for sticking his head over the parapet and giving a score from 1-5 for all the horses in the Profile section this year.

I've grouped them by rating and added another section for horses that the Ed has described as 'could be anything'. Let's see how they all do.

Five Star

Final Demand

Gaelic Warrior

Instant Fragile

King Rasko Grey

Four Star

Attin

Caldwell Potter

Cristal D'Estruval

Daylatedollarshort

Kingland

Kopek Des Bordes

Meetmebythesea

Metronomique

Mighty Park

No Drama This End
Prince Rupert

Romeo Coolio

Vango Can Go

Three Star

Bass Hunter

Baron Noir

Boycetown

Delamotte

Fairy Park

Minella Yoga

Mourne Crystal

Nan's Choice

Pointofdifference

Torneo

Two Star

Dastan

Soldier in Milan

2026/27 - Jumps Profiles - The ones that didn't make it

Jonbon 10 y bg Walk In The Park – Star Face

This could be Jonbon’s last season so it seemed it only right to recap on his great career.  He has run 28 times, winning 20 and was 2nd in the other 8. His first win was in a point at Dromahane in November 2020, his first win under rules was at Newbury in March 2021, where he won a 2m bumper by 4 ¼ l from Flying Demon. In November he won a maiden hurdle at Newbury beating Good Risk at All 6l, and then won a novice grade 2 at Ascot, and In January a similar event at Haydock, All over 2 miles. In March he went to Cheltenham for the 2m grade 1 Supreme novice hurdle, and was beaten 22l by stable mate Constitution Hill. He finished the season with Victory at Aintree in the 2m grade 1 Top novice hurdle, beating El Fabiolo a neck. 

In November 2022 he won a 2m  novice chase at Warwick, beating Monmiral 7l, followed up at Sandown in December winning the 2m grade 1 Henry V111 novice chase by 8l from Boothill, and in February 2023 won a 2m grade 2 novice case at Warwick by 3l from Calico (Received 5 lb). In March at Cheltenham he was 2nd in the 2m grade 1 Arkle novice chase beaten 5 ½ l by El Fabiolo, followed up with victory at Aintree winning the 2m grade 1 Maghull novice chase by 43 l from Marvel De Cerisy. He finished the season at the end of April at Sandown winning the 2m grade 1 Celebration chase by 3 ¾ l from Captain Guinness. 

He reappeared at Cheltenham in November winning a grade 2 chase by 9 ½ l from Edwardstone, then at Sandwonin December, won the 2m grade Tingle Creek chase, again beating Edwardstone by 2 ¾ l. In January 2024 at Cheltenham he finished 2nd in the 2m grade 1 Clarence House chase, beaten a neck by Elixr Du Nutz. In April at Aintree he won the 2m 4f grade 1 Melling Chase by 1 ¼ l from Conflated. He finished the season again at Sandown winning the 2m grade 1 Celebration chase by 4l from El Fabiolo. He reappeared at Cheltenham again in November 2024 winning a grade 2 chase by 1 ½ l from Boothill (received 2lb), then won the Tingle Creek at Sandown in December by 8l from Quilixios. In January 2025 at Ascot he won the 2m 1f grade 1 Clarence house chase by 6 ½ l from Energumene, then at Cheltenham in March was 2nd in he 2m grade 1 Queen Mother champion chase beaten 18 l by Marine Nationale. He then won the Melling chase at Aintree again beating Protektorat 3 1/4l but could only finish 2nd at Sandown in the Celebration chase beaten 5 ½ l by Il Etait Temps. 

In August last year he had a wind Op, and returned to action again at Cheltenham in November, finishing 2nd in the 2m garde 2 chase, beaten 15 l by L’Eau Du Sud, and then in December was 2nd in The Tingle Creek beaten 9l by Il Etait Temps. He returned to winning ways at Ascot this January winning the 2m 1f grade 1 Clarence house chase again by 3l from Thistle Ask, and followed up with victory again at Ascot in February winning the 2m 5f grade 1 Betfair chase by 1 ½ l from PicD’Orhy. He finished the season with 2nd at Cheltenham in the 2m 4f grade 1 Ryan Air chase beaten 10 l by Heart Wood.

Nicky Henderson told The Punter: "He has had another great summer at Martinstown and has come back fresh and well. I would expect he may start in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham which he has won twice before and then going to the Tingle Creek at Sandown which he has won three times. He still has his own foibles, but he has settled down quite considerably down the years and has become much more straightforward. He had to miss the Celebration Chase at Sandown as the ground was too quick but he’s a great horse and we look forward to several more exciting days in an already wonderful career."

Editors Rating 4 

Trainer N Henderson

L’Eau Du Sud 8 y gr g Lord Du Sud – Eaux Fortes

He made his debut in August 2021 at Royan La Palmyre finishing 4th in a 2m 1f 3 year old conditions hurdle, beaten 10 ½ l by Iron Des Mottes, then in November at Fontainbleau, fell in a 2m 2f 3yar old conditions hurdle. In December at Pau he won a 2m 1f 3 year conditions hurdle by 4l from Thequietman(received 3 lb), then in February 2022, was 2nd in a 2m 2f 4year old conditions hurdle, beaten 1 ¾ l by Ken Beseder (gave 7lb). 

In April at Auteuil he won a 2m 2f listed 4 year old hurdle by 1 ½ l from You’re the Boss, then moved to Dan Skelton and reappeared in November 2022 at Haydock, finishing 4th in a 2m 3f handicap hurdle, beaten 18 l by Stainsby Girl (received 12 lb). In December he was 3rd at Kempton in a 2m handicap hurdle beaten 3 ¼ l by No Ordinary Joe ( gave 4lb). In  March at Kelso he was 3rd again in a 2m handicap hurdle beaten 5 ½ l by Benson (gave 3lb). and had wind surgery after. 

He reappeared at Cheltenham in November, and was pulled up in a 2m handicap hurdle won by Iberico Lord, then in February 2024, was 2nd at Newbury in the 2m Betfair handicap hurdle, beaten 2 ¼ l by Iberico Lord (gave 5lb). Next at Cheltenham in March he was 2nd in the 2m 1f County handicap hurdle, beaten1l by Absurde (gave 3lb), and finished the season at Ayr finishing 5th and last, but beaten only 1 ½ l in the 2m Scottish Champion limited handicap hurdle, behind Favour And Fortune. 

He reappeared at Stratford in October last year winning a 2m 3f handicap chase by 10 l from No Risk Des Flos,(received 9lb) then followed up at Cheltenham in November winning a 2m grade 2 novice chase by 11l from Western Zephyr. In December at Sandown he won the 2m grade 1 Henry V111 Novice chase by 3 ¾ l from Touch Me Not , then in February this year  at Warwick won a grade 2 , 2m novice chase by 1 l from Rubaud. At Cheltenham in March in the 2m grade 1 Arkle novice chase he was 4t beaten 1 ½ l by Jango Baie, and finished the season at Aintree with 3rd in the 2m grade 1 Maghull novice chase beaten 5 ½ L by Kalif Du Berlais. 

He reappeared at Cheltenham in November, winning a 2m grade 2 chase by 15 l from Jonbon (gave 3lb), then in December at Sandown in the 2m grade 1 Tingle Creek chase was 3rd beaten 18 l behind Il Etait Temps. In March this year at Cheltenham in the 2m grade 1 Queen Mother Champion chase he was 3rd again beaten 11 ¾ l by Il Etait Temps, then finished the season at Aintree in the 2m 4f grade 1 Melling chase , pulling up behind Grey Dawning. 

Dan Skelton told The Punter: "as he doesn’t seem to back up after one good performance, we have changed a few things.and wil train him differently. His first target is the grade 2 Schloer chase at Cheltenham on 13 November."

Editors Rating 3 

 

Trainer D. Skelton

Princess Day 5 y gr m Success Days – Hayes Princess

Solid looking mare who made her debut at Fairyhouse Point To Point course in April last year winning a 3m 4 year old mares maiden by 3l from Fancy Hill. She moved to Jeremy Scott and made rules debut at Chepstow winning a 2m bumper by 2l from The Lightmaker (gave 7lb), then in February this year at Newbury, won a 2m bumper by 4 ¾ l from Fairy Park (received 4 lb), then Aat Aintree in April, finished 11th beaten 15 ¼ l behind Nan’s Choice in the 2m 1f grade 2 mares bumper. 

She reappeared at Chepstow in October, finishing 2nd in a 2m 3f mares novice hurdle, beaten 3 ¼ l by Divine Diva, then recently was 4th at Newbury in a 2m mares novice hurdle beaten 8 ¼ l behind Royal Response. She should be capable of winning a mares novice hurdle, probably when stepped up in trip

Editors Rating 3 

Trainer J.Scott

Mange Tout  4 y bf Born To Sea – Brune Ecossaise

Smart looking filly, she made her debut at Compiegne in May last year, winning a 2m 3 year old fillies conditions hurdle by 15 l from Maimix. Moving to Gordon Elliott she made her reappearance at Down Royal in November winning a 2m 1f 3 year old hurdle by 4l from Wizard of Odds (gave 7lb), then 3 weeks later at Fairyhouse won a grade 3 3-year old hurdle by 2 ¾ l from Narciso Has ( gave 3lb). 

In February this year at Leopardstown, she was third beaten 6l in a grade 1 Juvenile hurdle behind Narciso Has (gave 7lb), and finished the season at Aintree in April, winning the 2m 1f grade1 4 year old Boodles juvenile hurdle by ¾ l from Selma De Vary. 

She has grade 1 entries in the Morgiana hurdle and the grade1 David Nicholson mares hurdle at Cheltenham in March, and could be top class. She reappeared at Aintree recently, finishing 2nd to Alexi (gave 8lb) beaten 4l in a 2m 1f grade 2 hurdle.

Editors Rating 4

Trainer G.Elliott