Five horses to follow throughout the National Hunt season

As the temperatures start to cool and the evenings begin to darken, racing fans can take comfort from the anticipation of the National Hunt season.

Flat racing has gracefully held the stage for the summer months and now as they slowly retreat to their winter hibernation, the “jumpers” start to dust themselves off for a season with much promise.

There is no spectacle like majestic National Hunt thoroughbreds, at one with their jockeys as they navigate an array of obstacles, soaring to glory. This is a sport to be treasured and we are in for an extremely intriguing season ahead.

With that in mind, here are five horses to follow over the coming months, while you can keep tabs on Today’s racecards on The Independent. 

Comfort Zone

Comfort Zone is a very talented four-year-old who could certainly take advantage of his current mark.

Going into the 2022/23 season he was rated 85 on the level and didn’t disappoint as he took to hurdling at his ease winning three of his four starts and finishing a good third behind Lossiemouth on the other. 

He didn’t reappear after beating Scriptwriter in a Grade 2 Triumph trial at Cheltenham in January, but looked a particularly exciting prospect that day.

He returned of late back on the flat at Leopardstown in a premier handicap and was very unlucky not to win on the day behind the talented Satin after having a troubled passage. 

This four-year-old looks to be still improving and now boasts an 89 rating on the flat. I would be very surprised if Comfort Zone wasn’t claiming at least one major handicap hurdle off his current Irish mark of 132.

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Magical Zoe

Honeysuckle was one of the leading lights for the Henry De Bromhead stable over the last few years before bowing out at the very top last season. Another mare from the Waterford yard, Magical Zoe, could well take a major step forward over the coming months.

After impressive wins at Wexford and Down Royal, Magical Zoe went to Cheltenham for the 2023 Mares Novices’ Hurdle off the back of a 132 day break. She went on to finish a huge second, where I firmly believe she could’ve won under different tactics. 

She reappeared this season with a facile win at Gowran Park in September, where she won as easily as was expected. The 2023/24 Mares Hurdling division is packed with talent from the likes of Lossiemouth, Gala Marceau and Ashroe Diamond, but Magical Zoe is potentially good enough to make her mark. 

We have eyes on the 20/1 with BetGoodwin for the 2024 Mares Hurdle in the latest Cheltenham odds.

Risk Belle

Another entry in the list for owner JP McManus, Risk Belle should be up to winning races off her mark of 134.

After being beaten comfortably twice by Lossiemouth, Risk Belle entered handicap company last season, going from strength to strength. 

After falling when fancied at the Dublin Racing Festival, she went on to finish third in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle when perhaps a mistake cost her chance.

She went on to win at Fairyhouse thereafter in a competitive handicap, before finishing an unlucky fifth in an even better handicap at Punchestown. 

She should improve again with age and more handicap glory could well be within her grasp.

Monty’s Star

My second selection from the Henry De Bromhead stable, Monty’s Star looks an exciting type to go chasing with in the coming season.

After a few decent efforts in bumpers, Monty’s Star started life over hurdles with plenty of promise and after an eye-catching second behind Shanbally Kid at Navan, he stepped forward on that effort with a brilliant win in the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle at Clonmel. 

That was a brilliant effort seeing off the talented Hiddenvally Lake, albeit he did receive weight from that challenger.

He somewhat flopped at Cheltenham in the Albert Bartlett, but that race just didn’t work out for him on the day and he was one of 10 horses pulled up. He looks built for chasing, and 50/1 with bet365 for the Brown Advisory Chase is worth considering in a very open division.

Sandor Clegane

Another horse who took part in the 2023 Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival, Sandor Clegane is a very interesting staying novice chaser to keep an eye on.

After several huge efforts early in the season, he was very unlucky not to go even closer in the aforementioned Cheltenham Festival contest. 

After being held up, he flew home late to go down by less than two lengths behind Stay Away Fay. Sandor Clegane backed that effort up with a win at the Punchestown Festival.

While he is very classy, I would fancy him to prove to be an impressive stayer and 16/1 with bet365 for the 2024 National Hunt Chase is interesting. 

The Paul Nolan stable went close in that race with Discorama a few years back, and on all known evidence Sandor Clegane is an even better horse than him.