The National Hunt fanatics are gradually emerging from the crevices of the Flat season as Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting takes place this weekend.
It’s been a tough period for jumps trainers, who’ve had to pray for a mere drop of rain to get their horses fit for the beginning of the National Hunt season, but with dull, grey skies forecast across Gloucestershire this week, the earthy, charcoal-toned tweed attire will return in its masses at Cheltenham this weekend.
Saturday’s seven-race card has seen some smart novices imprint their hooves on the hallowed turf in the past, and here are some promising novices you should watch out for.
13:10 Cheltenham – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
Lisbane Park – Walk In The Park x Loussia (Footstepsinthesand)
Lisbane Park makes his chase debut in the opener and could be thrown in for chasing off a mark of 120. The imposing son of Walk In The Park was second to Arcadian Emperor in his sole point-to-point at Lisnoragh – who’s now in the colours of JP McManus at Closutton – and was purchased for £110,000 by Ross Doyle and Joe Tizzard.
A winner on hurdles debut, he couldn’t quite back that up against more natural hurdlers but still kept some good company, and he can improve sharply for this switch to fences. He also features in my ten National Hunt horses to follow this season.
Sogna In Grande – Dartmouth x Unika La Reconce (Robin Des Champs)
Dartmouth gelding Sogna In Grande was purchased for £75,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham sales in April 2025 following his Ston Easton point-to-point victory.
He made an immediate impression on hurdles debut at Warwick, beating the 5/6 favourite Dig Deep. He backed that up with a six-length win at Wincanton, beating the 2/5 favourite Grand Vendetta for Paul Nicholls. He lacked fluency when upped in grade at Perth in Listed company, but this imposing sort can improve again for a fence.
De Temps En Temps – Court Cave x Poppy Come Running (Definite Article)
Martin Keighley won this with the excellent mare Found On in 2022 and has entered De Temps En Temps, who finished his season with a third in a competitive Class 2 handicap at Ascot in February.
A two-time hurdles winner, including at this meeting, he’ll no doubt have been primed for this as a starting point, and his record when fresh reads well (22132).
13:45 Cheltenham – Novices’ Hurdle
Woodstock Octo – Ocovango x Sizing Kimberlite (Flemensfirth)
Kayley Woollacott has already sprung a surprise result under rules with a prolific winning pointer, after El Capitaine downed Quebecois, and Woodstock Octo is worth keeping an eye on.
By Ocovango and a half-brother to the Nicky Henderson-trained, 125-rated stayer Bective Abbey, he’s bred to have a future under rules.
Jet Bay – Jet Away x Gaye Article (Definite Article)
Mickey Bowen was as prolific as ever over the summer and fields Jet Bay, who was an Irish point-to-point winner in April. He changed hands for only £20,000, but he’s from the family of some talented winners over staying trips, such as Fully Cry, Kingsmark and Black Humour, and he can make his presence felt.
Mr Hollywood – Iquitos x Margie’s Music (Hurricane Run)
Willie Mullins doesn’t tend to have all that many winners in Britain at this stage of the season, and while Mr Hollywood might be one for watching purposes, he’s a seriously interesting candidate for this discipline.
Second in the German Derby in 2023, he was regressive for his former connections and switched to Mullins this season. He made his hurdles debut at Killarney in May, beaten 16 lengths, before producing a solid display to finish second to Illinois at Royal Ascot, and got off the mark over hurdles at Galway.
He was last seen finishing six lengths behind Caballo De Mar in the Prix du Cadran, and may be one for a big handicap this season.
16:05 Cheltenham – “Chasing Excellence” Novices’ Chase
Derryhassen Paddy – Arctic Cosmos x Kerrie Girl (Golan)
There was huge expectation on Derryhassen Paddy for his chase debut at Ayr last season, and despite some less than fluent jumping, he wasn’t disgraced when beaten four lengths by the subsequent Grade 1 winner Sixmilebridge.
He missed the remainder of the campaign, but he still remains a novice, and if he retains his ability, particularly from his Albert Bartlett third, hopefully he can rank highly this season.
Kasino Des Mottes – Balko x Banco Des Mottes (Kapgarde)
Point-to-point winner Kasino Des Mottes showed promise over hurdles last season and is destined to make a better chaser.
He stayed on well for fifth at this meeting last year, and backed that up with a game performance at Kempton, beating a subsequent winner for Nicky Henderson.
Connections tested him in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in December and he put up an excellent fight, and while his form plateaued thereafter, chasing can bring out further improvement.
Catchintsavo – Walk In The Park x Catcheragain (Flemensfirth)
One of the most exciting horses this weekend is the 142-rated Catchintsavo, who finished last season as runner-up in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, beating the Albert Bartlett winner in the process.
Anthony Honeyball’s yard won this with Leave Of Absence last season, and this experienced, imposing gelding could make a strong impression on seasonal debut given the strength of both his bumper and hurdles form.