Trainers to Watch As Jump Racing Returns
Rain, rain, go away is a saying we have all muttered from time to time, but one group of people that you will never hear uttering those words are those involved in the jump racing world. The bright sunshine and firm ground of the summer are ideal for horses racing on the flat, but when it comes to tackling fences, a soft surface is needed for the equine competitors to be at their best.
Top Trainers Readying Their Star Pupils
The jump racing season is still in its infancy at the moment, so don’t worry if you have yet to tune in or tackle the horse racing betting markets. Bravemansgame may be the 13/8 favourite to win the upcoming King George VI Chase, but most of the big guns are still to take their first steps onto the track.
That will change as the months go on, however, with some of the big Grade 1 races of the season just around the corner. Those looking to settle on the best odds when they bet on sports online may not wish to take such a relaxed approach, as odds are constantly changing. Odds may currently stand at 16/1 for the Grand National favourite, Corach Rambler, for example, but who knows how these odds will be looking in just a few weeks’ time.
Trainers To Watch
When the top horses return to action, it also means that the sport’s top trainers and jockeys will also be making their way to big tracks like Cheltenham, Kempton, and Ascot for the first time in the new campaign. Below are some of the top trainers to follow in the months ahead.
Willie Mullins
Willie Mullins has been the jump racing industry’s most successful trainer in recent times, and that is likely to continue in 2023/24. The Irish trainer is a legendary figure in the sport and has some of the best horses that jump racing has to offer at his disposal.
With last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Galopin Des Champs, and the likes of Energumene, El Fabiolo, and Facile Vega all currently being primed for a return, the future looks bright for their trainer on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Nicky Henderson
The top British trainer at the moment, Nicky Henderson continues to defy his years by consistently training some of the best horses in the game. The brilliant, Constitution Hill, is the star attraction at Henderson’s yard, and last year’s unbeaten Champion Hurdle winner will once again lead a team that also includes the talented pair of Jonbon and Shiskin.
Paul Nicholls
A fourteen-time British Champion Jumps Trainer, Paul Nicholls is still one of the best trainers in the sport today. Although he has struggled to relive the glory days of training Kauto Star and Denman in recent years, Nicholls still has some quality horses at his disposal, with Bravemansgame being the pick.
Nicholls is also adept at turning young, inexperienced horses into stars over fences during a season, so don’t be surprised to see some of his lesser-known runners making it to the very top.
These are just three of jump racing’s top trainers in the industry today, and the mere fact that they will be sending their best horses to the track in the coming months is cause for excitement. Other top trainers such as Gordon Elliott, Dan Skelton, and Henry de Bromhead, are also busy putting the final touches to their horses’ preparations, so it really is time to start following the action.