Ahead On The Flat author Mark Howard with five jumpers to follow

Willie Mullins has done particularly well with horses who began their careers with Guillaume Macaire in France. The ill-fated three times Cheltenham Festival winner Vautour is a case in point and Ireland’s champion trainer will be hoping GENTLEMAN DE MEE is another top notcher.

A half-brother to Paul Nicholls former EBF Final and Grand Sefton Chase winner As De Mee, the four-year-old finished runner-up in both his starts for his previous connections. Beaten two lengths on his debut at Senonnes in October last year, he then chased home Magrudy at Compiegne the following month. The winner has scored twice since and finished runner-up in a Grade 3 chase at Auteuil.

Therefore the gelded son of Saint Des Saints brings over some strong form and it will be a surprise if he doesn’t develop into a high-class horse for J.P.McManus. who shelled out €280,000 at the Arqana Autumn Sales last year.

Owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede tasted more Festival glory in March courtesy of Concertista’s runaway success in the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. The same patrons will be hoping the once raced GIPSY DE CHOISEL will be appearing at Prestbury Park in March.

A four-year-old by Great Pretender, he won his only start over timber at Angers in France in May and therefore remains a novice for the whole of this season. Trained across the English Channel by Jean-Philippe Dubois, he stayed on strongly to lead close home over two miles three – both the runner-up and fourth have scored since.

Nicky Henderson has taken charge of this exciting prospect and expect to see him make his UK debut at one of the top tracks this Autumn/winter.

Paul Nicholls was busy during lockdown acquiring fresh talent from France and made a number of ‘signings’ in the juvenile hurdle department. The former champion trainer has taken charge of both the first and second from the Prix Rush Hurdle at Auteuil in March, namely Monmiral and HELL RED. Both look potentially high-class recruits and are worth adding to the tracker.

The latter is a grey gelding by Martaline who was handled by Macaire and is a half-brother to a dual Grade 3 winner. Staying on strongly after the last at the Parisian venue, he is now owned by Martin Broughton and looks to have a bright future.

Harry Fry has a strong team of novice chasers for the winter ahead, including Grade 1 winning hurdler If The Cap Fits. Paul Nicholls’ former assistant isn’t too badly off in the novice hurdle department either and the ex-Irish METIER looks an interesting recruit.

Rated 88 on the Flat when handled by Andy Slattery, the Mastercraftsman gelding was purchased for 150,000gns nearly a year ago and held an entry in the Triumph Hurdle last spring. However, the four-year-old has still yet to jump an obstacle in public but is all set to embark on his new career this autumn.

Successful over an extended nine furlongs at Gowran Park, he handles cut in the ground and reportedly jumps well and is one to watch on his debut.

Owners Noel and Valerie Moran are going to be major players in the coming years having spent big during the last six or seven months. Already responsible for the likes of Queen’s Brook and The Bosses Oscar, they have recruited from the Irish point field during the spring/summer, plus ex-Flat racer ZANAHIYR.

A winner over 12 furlongs at Fairyhouse in July for Mick Halford, the former Aga Khan owned three-year-old has only raced four times and has all the attributes to make a smart hurdler. Now in training with Gordon Elliott and gelded since being bought, he looks every inch a Triumph Hurdle horse in the making. The three times Grand National winning trainer has already claimed that prize twice.

Mark Howard, author of One Jump Ahead & Racing TV

One Jump Ahead, which includes interviews with Kim Bailey, Harry Fry, Chris Gordon, Philip Hobbs, Anthony Honeyball, Alan King, Tom Lacey, Olly Murphy, Paul Nicholls, Jonjo O’Neill, David Pipe and Nicky Richards, plus leading owner Rich Ricci and three times Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer Henrietta Knight, can be purchased for £10.99 (including postage) from www.mhpublications.co.uk