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The best jumps horses to follow in 2020

With the jumps season now back in full swing and 2020 on the doorstep, we’ve asked several trainers, jockeys and racing personalities for their nominations for the best jumps horses to follow in 2020. Make sure you keep an eye out for them in our racing pools this year.

Tom Lacey

 

Occupation: Trainer

Nomination: Thais Toir

Verdict: Despite an inauspicious start with a 5th and a 7th from his first two races, Tom believes the 4yo gelding from his own stable will be one to watch in 2020. Rated at 99 after his second run, we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on him as the season unfolds.

 

 

Noel Hayes

 

Occupation: Business owner, horse owner, betting industry professional

Nomination: Minella Indo & Dallas Des Pictons

Verdict: Unable to decide between them, Noel opted for a pair of 6yo geldings, Minella Indo and Dallas Des Pictons. A surprise 50/1 winner of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle back in March, Minella Indo followed it up with victory at Punchestown to complete a festival double to underline his chasing potential. Gordon Elliott-trained Dallas Des Pictons already has three wins to his names from 8 starts and a second in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham, Elliott will have high hopes for further improvement in 2020.

 

 

Martin Smith

 

Occupation: Trainer

Nomination: Friend’s Don’t Ask

Verdict: Despite not having many jumpers in his stable, Martin Smith does have one that he is very keen on in 4yo gelding Friend’s Don’t Ask. With a fifth in his debut at Southwell in July, he followed up with a respectable third at Worcester in November. Both of those outings were in flat races so what can he do over the hurdles in 2020? He is certainly a horse to follow.

 

 

Josh Stacey

 

Occupation: Racing broadcaster

Nomination: Thyme Hill

Verdict: Three wins in five starts for the 5yo plus a hugely credible third in the Champion Bumber, Thyme Hill finished the year with back to back wins at Chepstow and Cheltenham. If the PJ Hobbs trained gelding can continue his electric form into the new year they he could be in for a very exciting campaign.

 

 

Nick Alexander

 

Occupation: Trainer

Nomination: Dubai Days

Verdict: Opting for one of his own stable, Nick Alexander plumps for Dubai Days as his horse to follow in 2020. The 5yo had a promising start to his career in 2019, ending with a second and two third-places to his name including in his hurdles debut at Sedgefield in December. Will we see further improvements in 2020?

 

 

Luke Elder

 

Occupation: Racing broadcaster

Nomination: Faustinovick

Verdict: Luke Elder is a big fan of 5yo gelding Faustinobick, a novice hurdler from the Colin Tizzard stable. In three starts he is yet to finish outside the top three and ran an impressive second place in his hurdles debut at Carlisle in November from a 17 runner race.

 

 

Brian Ellison

 

Occupation: Trainer

Nomination: The King Of May

Verdict: When asked for a horse to follow in 2020, Brian Ellison needed to look no further than his own stable. He things it could be a great year for The King Of May who followed up a second place over the hurdles at Market Rasen in April with his maiden win in a chase at Carlisle six moths later.

 

 

Craig Forsyth

 

Occupation: Broadcaster

Nomination: Umbrigado

Verdict: “Impressed winning Novice and Maiden hurdles at Southwell and Exeter last season. Easily took care of two useful performers in Khage (137) and Ask Dillion (137). Slightly disappointing in the grade one Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree but nothing went right for him in that race. Forced wide early, he ended up all over the track and faced a battle racing against the bias. It was pleasing to see him stick on and see his race out well and he look sure to improve this season. A mark of 142 looks lenient and he should have no trouble taking advantage of a good handicap before going onto better things.”

 

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