The new jumps season has been ramped up following some important races over the autumn period. These big races have revealed some fresh talent, youngsters are showing signs of improvement, and second-season novices have stepped up against more experienced horses.
At kwiff, we follow the big autumn horse racing storylines closely to understand how horses develop across the campaign.
Why Autumn Matters in the Jumps Season
The autumn jumps season programme is important, as this is where many of the leading horses in the sport make their return to action following a summer break. The early-season National Hunt form offers clues on fitness, schooling, progression from novice campaigns, and future targets.
Horses Making a Big Impression Already
Gaelic Warrior strengthened his Cheltenham Gold Cup claims when he defeated Fact To File in the Grade One John Durkan Chase at Punchestown, one of the leading November horse racing fixtures. Willie Mullins’ runner stayed on strongly at the back end of the Grade One contest. Despite missing the win at Leopardstown, he’s a strong contender this season.
In the 2m hurdles division, Lossiemouth made a winning start to her campaign with victory in the Grade One Morgiana Hurdle. The talented mare travelled powerfully through the race, prevailing by 19 lengths. She is on course to feature in the Champion Hurdle this season. Like Gaelic Warrior, Lossiemouth didn’t secure the win at Leopardstown, but her trainers say she bounced back fine.
One of the rising stars in jumps racing in the 2025/26 campaign has been Mydaddypaddy. Dan Skelton’s hurdler has won both of his two starts comfortably. He has jumped well and eased his way through his races. The four-year-old gelding is one of the horses to follow this autumn.
Second-Season Novices Ready to Progress
Il Etait Temps is a second-season chaser who has stepped up from his novice campaign. Willie Mullins’ runner was third in the Arkle last season, but he looked like one of the National Hunt improvers when winning the Grade One Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.
Grey Dawning is another second-season novice that has already won a big prize in the 2025/26 campaign. He prevailed in a Grade One contest at Haydock, where he looked much stronger and slicker over his obstacles.
Trainers and Yards Sending Strong Signals
Dan Skelton finished second in last season’s British Trainers’ Championship, and he has got off to a flyer, particularly in the September horse racing fixtures, as he bids to go one place better this season. He has shown a strong strike rate throughout autumn and has landed some of the biggest prizes through the campaign.
In Ireland, Willie Mullins has shown strong stable form this autumn. He has prevailed in several of the leading Grade One races in the October horse racing fixtures in Ireland.
Stable form influences how we at kwiff read seasonal narratives ahead of the big races in winter and spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some horses improve sharply in autumn?
Often due to maturity, fitness, or better-suited ground conditions.
Is early-season form reliable?
Useful, but still developing as horses settle into their campaigns.
Do trainers target autumn specifically?
Some do, especially with young horses or those needing confidence.
Should autumn performances shape expectations for big winter festivals?
They provide clues, not guarantees. Horses can progress at different rates.
