Hurricane is storming bet
HERE are 12 horses worth following over the jumps this season.
Adviser (3 years)
His looks and pedigree suggest this Flat winner will be better jumping. The Triumph is a possible target.
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Backstage (7)
Irish-trained but has only run once over there. His latest outing was an impressive victory at Ffos Las.
His trainer knows his way round Liverpool having won the National with silver Birch. He is a serious Aintree candidate. Gordon Elliott
Big Buck’s (6)
You cannot leave out a horse that should remain unbeaten through the season. This highest rated hurdler has four races mapped all the way to the World Hurdle, the race he won last season. Paul Nicholls
Candy Creek (5)
Always room for a mare to follow because the best ones will certainly run up a sequence. This is the £200,000 replacement for Chomba Womba. Won Aintree mares’ bumper and will win a lot more. Nicky Henderson
Clova Island (6)
Beat one of Paul Nicholls’s hotpots easily and would have beaten another but for last flight tumble. Philip Hobbs
Fruity O’Rooney (6)
This one ran an eye-catching race on his debut for his new connections at Chepstow. Gary Moore
Hurricane Fly (5)
Slaughtered the best in Ireland and France. An injury prevented him from running at the Cheltenham Festival but he is now on course for the Champion Hurdle. He is favourite for the race. Willie Mullins
Lidar (4)
The trainer’s pick. He was not quite as good as dunguib in bumper contests but still won some decent races. Alan King
Niche Market (8)
Will be “taking on the tanks with my pop gun” is how his trainer describes the task of tackling the big brigades in the West Country. The Irish National winner will win more stamina races. Bob Buckler
Tarotino (7)
His form was unreliable until getting his act together. The Paddy Power Cup is his first objective. Alan King
Tocca Fero (4)
He won his one bumper like a top performer. Emma Lavelle
Sunwise (3)
Recently bought out of John Oxx’s stable by Graham Bradley. The former top jockey bought such notably stars as Well Chief and seebald. Paul Nicholls