National Hunt Racing: The 2009/2010 Season

General / Wayne Bailey / 10 September 2009 / Leave a Comment

The build-up to Cheltenham 2010 has already begun

“In Ireland, Willie Mullins has been unstoppable lately and it’s difficult to see any change at the top of the table.”

In a few short weeks, the jumps season will be in full swing and all roads will lead to Cheltenham, 2010. Wayne Bailey discusses the trainers, jockeys and horses that are likely to dominate the upcoming season...

Were getting close to that tricky time of the year where the Flat and jumps seasons cross over - and I know a number of punters who will take a break from betting until the National Hunt form settles down a little. Before long, the Cheltenham build-up will be in full flow and by the time March comes around, I'm sure I'll have made plenty of adjustments to my horses to follow list!

For punting purposes, I find it easier to make money on the Flat so in some ways I don't welcome the imminent wintertime. However, for sheer excitement and spectacle, nothing can come close to the National Hunt and for many of us in Ireland, it's a way of life. Indeed, the first ever steeplechase took place in Cork (over six miles) way back in 1752 when Edmund Blake and Cornelius O'Callaghan had a wager to settle a disagreement about their respective horses' ability, so the start of the season is met with great enthusiasm 'round these parts.

On a personal level, I'm very excited about the upcoming NH season as a horse I part-own (as yet unnamed) should be having his first race in the spring. It's the first time I've been involved in owning a horse and we are all immensely excited and are busy picking a name and colours. Fingers crossed, and I'll keep readers updated on his progress.

In the UK, Paul Nicholls has won the trainer championship for four years straight, putting an end to the Pipe domination of the last two decades. Looking ahead to the 2009/2010 championship, Nicholls clearly has the horses to make it five in a row. Alan King and Nicky Henderson are other obvious candidates to do well, but the latter has had his difficulties and it might be wise to take a cautious approach until he finds his form. I'll also keep a keen eye on Venetia Williams and expect the Grand National winning trainer to add some big prizes to her name this season. She's always been a little under-rated, so it was good to see her get some Cheltenham and Aintree winners in 2009. Unfortunately, one of the major owners (Paul Beck) has moved his horses from the yard which must be a disappointment for all involved with the stables.

In Ireland, Willie Mullins has been unstoppable lately and it's difficult to see any change at the top of the table. Noel Meade and Dessie Hughes just don't have the top class horses at the moment so we can expect more of the same from Mullins in 2009/2010. Jessica Harrington trained horses are always worth noting, while from the smaller stables, John Kiely always has a trick or two up his sleeve and is definitely one for the notebook. Indeed, Kiely showed a strike rate of 25% last season and an 11pt profit to a 1pt stake; so give careful consideration to his runners, especially in bumpers.

Jockey wise, Tony McCoy has dominated the UK table since the mid 90s and the 35 year-old shows no signs of slowing down yet. He's been the champ a record 14 times and he never ceases to amaze. In Ireland, Ruby Walsh is likely to dominate considering the talent he has at his disposal but once again, he'll be back and forth to the UK to ride for Nicholls. I'm also interested in how well or otherwise Paul Townend performs as the young man clearly has talent. Similarly, I'm looking forward to spotting the up-and-coming youngsters on both sides of the Irish Sea; and by the time Christmas comes around, there will be one or two new faces starting to shine.

With regard to the horses, I'm sure we're all looking forward to watching the big guns in action like Master Minded, Denman and Kauto Star - but there were plenty of exciting novices in 2008/2009 so I think we could have a good year ahead of us. The Irish may not have the superstar hurdlers that we had a few years back, but we gave a very good account of ourselves at Cheltenham and I'm quietly confident we'll do OK in 2010. The British horses have dominated the chasing scene in recent years and I don't expect much to change on that front.

For now, we've the last few weeks of the flat to concentrate on but the NH build up is already beginning - so best of luck for the forthcoming season!

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