Harry Roberts pick out five to follow this jumps season with JP McManus' young guns expected to impress throughout the campaign.
1) Ballyadam
This horse automatically draws immediate comparisons to the superstar that is Envoi Allen because of his connections, but he might not be in the shadows of his stablemate for long. Whilst disappointing on his debut at Navan where he was keen in desperate ground, the race that followed at Downpatrick was a most impressive bumper win where he demolished the opposition by 18 lengths on the bridle. It is not clear what he beat that day, but he could hardly have made a better impression visually. An expensive purchase of £330,000, much will be expected of him over obstacles now which is the plan. He is certainly one for the tracker.
2) Flinteur Sacre
The buzz around this horse could not be stronger heading into the National Hunt season. He of course is a full brother to the legend that was Sprinter Sacre which only adds a layer of excitement to his campaign. Whilst beaten behind Your Darling on his first start, Flinteur Sacre absolutely bolted up at Kempton next time out under Barry Geraghty who described the horse as ‘the real deal’ and that he has ‘never rode a bumper horse like that’. He will likely be a warm order for his opening race, wherever that may be, but with comments like that anticipation is heightened ahead of his upcoming campaign.
3) Andy Dufresne
One could not help but be impressed with the chasing debut at Wexford of expensive purchase Andy Dufresne. Within National Hunt circles, I think this has to be the most beautiful horse in training. I challenge someone to disagree with me! He managed to achieve a rating of 145 over hurdles beating Captain Guinness at Punchestown last season whilst only losing out narrowly to the highly-regarded Paul Nolan-trained, Latest Exhibition. He did cost the best part of half a million pounds, which is a lot of money to pay for a jumps horse, but you can see why such big money was paid. Gordon Elliott did say that he would more than likely step up to 2m5f on his next run as he believed it is his optimum trip. He simply is one of the best moving horses in training and he is a dark shot to make some noise at the key festivals this season.
4) Mt Leinster
This horse may be easier to recall for those who followed the Flat over the Irish sea this summer as he won a couple of useful races over longer trips. When last seen over jumps, he was sixth in the Galway hurdle which was slightly disappointing, granted. Despite the below-par effort, I believe this horse has been completely forgotten given how he got on last winter. He was only second to Easywork in a maiden hurdle last year who ended up coming second to the spectacular Envoi Allen at Cheltenham. He then took the step up in February to Grade 1 company where he was again only beaten by Easywork and the talented, Asterion Forlonge. One could easily make the case that he has was travelling the best when coming to the second last where he made a crucial blunder. When taking his final outing for the season back down into Grade 2 company he finished a close-up fourth, only losing out to the aforementioned Andy Dufresne and another exciting prospect, Jason The Militant. Be sure to keep an eye out for Mt Leinster this upcoming season as he will strip fit for his runs on the Flat as he reverts back to take on the obstacles.
5) Le Richebourg
It's noticeable how this horse has improved steadily over his career. Unfortunately, he was out injured all of last year after reaching a rating of 160. However, when going back a few seasons to his 2017 campaign, he was competing in some cracking races beating the likes of Real Steel, who was so impressive in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last year, and Sharjah, who was second in the Champion Hurdle last season. When next competing in the Drinmore Novice Chase, he was only just touched off by the future Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup Champion, Delta Work. Joseph O’Brien then decided to drop down in drip to two miles which played to his strengths with his impressive jumping and speed. On his last two starts, he won both the Racing Post Novice Chase and the Irish Arkle which earnt him that official rating. He could be a dark horse for top honours come March.
