BIG JOHN WAYNE
Trainer: Lucinda Russell
‍A former Irish Points winner who is sure to come into his own as a chaser in time, this six-year-old looked all set to improve upon a third in a novices’ hurdle at Hereford when falling at the final flight at Newcastle, when looking all set to outstay the penalised Moon Chime. Versatile in terms of ground, the imposing son of Shantou looks more than capable of winning races over hurdles this season before being sent chasing this time next year.

DERRYHASSEN PADDY
Trainer: Lucinda Russell
‍Another from the Kinross-based stable of Lucinda Russell, he (pictured) is another ex-Irish Points winner and the five-year-old made the perfect start under Rules when making all to win a heavy-ground bumper at Ayr. Dictating matters under last season’s leading conditional Patrick Wadge, the son of Arctic Cosmos poured it on inside the closing stages and had the opposition strung out up the home straight, suggesting that he can make an impact in novice hurdles in the North this winter.

JACK BLACK
Trainer: Dan Skelton
A five-year-old by Tirwanako – sire of this year’s Weatherbys Champion Bumper winner Jasmin de Vaux – he shaped with promise when third in a couple of soft-ground bumpers and finished in the same position in a novices’ hurdle at Newbury in February. Racing quite freely, he came from off the pace to finish just in front of the 105-rated Fourtowns. Whilst he still looked a work-in-progress last season, there was plenty of promise in all three runs and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him leave that form behind in time.

KAWABOOMGA
Trainer: W P Mullins
Leading owner JP McManus has been extremely active in the ‘transfer market’ this close season. He has purchased a lot of youngsters from France and this son of Tunis could be the pick of the bunch. Third on debut at Auteuil in March, his jumping wasn’t fluent early-on and resulted in him losing his position before he warmed to the task during the second circuit. The four-year-old finished well to pull 12 lengths clear of the fourth would be hopeful that he will develop into a smart novice hurdler this winter for his powerful connections.

All of these horses feature in Jumpers To Follow 2024-2025, which was published on 13th September and can be ordered via Weatherbys Shop.