LASCAR DU MATHAN
Trainer: Gordon Elliott

‍Unbeaten in two starts in France, this four-year-old has been bought by Robcour and sent to Gordon Elliott. A winner at Compiegne last November, he readily made it 2-2 at Auteuil in March, when partnered by his former owner and (now retired) amateur rider, David Maxwell. Whilst he might not be the easiest to place in the short-term, with him no longer a novice and lacking experience, he is a smashing long-term prospect and on looks, should develop into a chaser in time. I suspect he will spend a season over hurdles in Ireland and it will be interesting to see how far he can go.

LE TIEP’S SACRE
Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore

Although we only got to see this four-year-old son of It’s Gino twice on these shores last term, he looks capable of considerable improvement during his second season with the Moores. Having shaped like he would come on for the run at Sandown, he readily got off the mark on better ground at Fontwell in March, meaning that he remains a novice over hurdles until the end of November. He also shaped well in a couple of starts in France and has the look of a horse who will fulfil his potential once sent chasing. From a mark of 119, he will have plenty of options and is sure to be well placed by his shrewd connections.

MISTER ST ELOI
Trainer: Olly Murphy

Following a career-best season in terms of winners, Olly Murphy is another trainer who looks to have assembled his strongest team to date ahead of the new campaign. There is a plethora of young talent now housed at Warren Chase, including a whole host of former Irish Pointers, of which this son of Jeu St Eloi is just one. Despite not winning in two starts, he showed distinct promise. Having unseated his rider four fences from home on debut, he reappeared just eight days later when beaten just a head by Hardly Surprising (now in training with Harry Fry, for JP McManus), having jumped well in front. Having wandered off a straight line, he was collared in the closing stages but it was a good run considering the quick turnaround and, physically, he has done well for his summer break. I would expect him to start off in a bumper, as he doesn’t look short of speed.

SMALL TOWN KID
Trainer: Dan Horsford

Twice a winner over hurdles last season for James Ewart, he was picked up for just £42,000 in May and could be the horse to propel rookie trainer Dan Horsford into the limelight somewhat. Former assistant to Alan King, Horsford enjoyed his first success as a trainer on 20^th April and he looks to have bought a promising youngster in the shape of this six-year-old son of Getaway, who bookended last season with good-ground wins at Newcastle. Currently rated 115, the ex-Irish Pointer is one to note once sent chasing.

UPON TWEED
Trainer: Nicky Richards

Greystoke-based trainer Nicky Richards is another who had a strong team of bumper horses last season, so his should be a stable to follow in the novice hurdle division. This five-year-old son of Berkshire is sure to be high up the pecking order, such was the impression that he created when winning a bumper at Newcastle under stable jockey, Danny McMenamin. Having travelled well, he eased clear of a couple of fairly useful yardsticks (runner-up wasn’t disgraced at the Punchestown Festival next time), marking himself down as very much one to follow.

All of these horse feature in Jumpers To Follow 2025-206, which is available now via Weatherbys Shop.