2024/2025 National Hunt Racing Season Review - Including How Our Horses to Follow Performed

The 2024/2025 National Hunt season was packed with excitement, featuring standout performances, emerging stars, and dramatic moments across the UK and Ireland. Here we will review our picks from this season and analyse how they did. You can read the original list of picks and our reasons by clicking here.

Willie Mullins won once again, continuing his dominance with an unstoppable team of Grade 1 horses. As well as this, Mullins secured his 100th Cheltenham Festival win, ridden by his son Patrick Mullins.

Dan Skelton put up a strong challenge, finishing second in the standings, at one point, looking as if Mullins may not be able to keep up with his many wins.

Paul Nicholls remained a key contender, adding several high-profile wins to his record after some hard hitting journalists doubted his abilities.

Sean Bowen was crowned champion jump jockey, a well deserved title after he travelled all around the UK riding horses of all abilities and in all weathers. Due to an unfortunate injury, Bowen lost the previous Championship to Harry Cobden and Bowen was as determined as ever to show why he should be champion jockey.

Harry Cobden finished as runner-up, battling with Bowen as they did the previous season. Cobden won the Scottish Grand National aboard Captain Cody as well as wins aboard Caldwell Potter at both the Aintree and Cheltenham festivals.

Freddie Gingell, based with and riding for Paul Nicholls, claimed the champion conditional jockey title. Gingell won the Paddy Power Gold Cup aboard Il Ridoto at Cheltenham, winning connections a healthy £80,000. Gingell also partnered veteran chaser, Copperhead, to win a hattrick of 3 mile chases at Plumpton, Chepstow and Aintree. They then went on to win the 2024 Veterans' Chase Series at Market Rasen.

The Jukebox Man

Unfortunately, suffered an injury as was not seen throughout the season. He has now returned to training and will look to run in the coming season, we wish connections all the best.

Imperial Saint

Imperial Saint ran 3 races since we published our picks in January 2025. He began with a good 3rd place in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham in January, where he was beaten by only 2 3/4 lengths. Then headed to Kempton in the middle of February, to run in a competitive Grade 2 Novice, where he was beaten 7 1/4 lengths by Rubaud. Ended his season at the Aintree Festival, where he finished 2nd to Cruz Control in a Grade 3 Handicap. This 7 year old gelding does not make this years list but could easily be seen winning Graded Handicaps.

Libberty Hunter

Only ran two races in the 2025 portion of the season, but was a very close second to Master Chewy in the Game Spirit Chase, which was a field of high class horses. Connections then targeted the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, where he was a big price. Libberty Hunter sadly fell when only 4 lengths off the lead, leaving onlookers wondering where he could have placed.

Sir Gino

Unfortunately, Sir Gino suffered a minor wound on his hind leg, which would not have any negative effects. However, the wound became infected and Sir Gino missed all 2025 meetings. We are happy to report that he is back in training with Nicky Henderson, who has stated his care for the horse comes before any other part of his job. There is still a possibility that Sir Gino can become the champion that everyone believes he can.

Brighterdaysahead

After Leopardstown at the end of December 2024, Brighterdaysahead beat an unusually uncompetitive State Man by 31 lengths in the Neville Hotels Hurdle (Grade 1). Noises coming out of the camp after this stellar win, stated that she could be one of the best mares around and wanted to target the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival. Unfortunately, this did not go as planned, even after both Constitution Hill and State Man fell in the Champion Hurdle, where she finished 4 of 7. Connections are going chasing this season. We believe connections suspicions of her ability may be unfounded.

L'Eau Du Sud

This beautiful grey gelding ran 3 races in the 2025 portion of the season. Including winning the Unibet Kingmaker Novices' Chase (Grade 2), beating Rubaud by a length. Then headed to the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, where he went off 5/1, running to his top form, securing 4th place by only 1 1/2 lengths. He finished his season at the Aintree Festival, finishing 5 1/2 lengths behind the winner to finish 3rd in the Rosconn Group Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1). It would be no surprise to see him have another highly compeitive season.

Kalif Du Berlais

Ran twice since our picks in January. Was beaten 18 lengths by Handstands in the Scilly Isles Grade 1 Novice Chase. Won the Rosconn Group Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) by 3 1/2 lengths, making all under Harry Cobden. This highly progressive 5 year old, look sure to improve with age in the coming seasons, not quite making the cut for this years list

The New Lion

This highly touted son of Kayf Tara went to the Cheltenham Festival with high ambitions. He followed through on his suspected success, winning the Turners Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) by 3/4 of a length. This was his only run in this portion of the season but his success has led connections to target the 2026 Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Inthewaterside

Unfortunately, did not run after our pick. The reason has not been disclosed but we wish him and his connections all the best and hope to see him run again soon.

Jingko Blue

Ran two races since being picked but only managed to complete the one, where he won the Hampton Novices' Chase (Grade 2) at Windsor by 2 1/4 lengths. He then headed to Ascot, where he was a very short favourite for the Reynoldstown Grade 2 Chase. Unfortunately, he unseated Nico de Boinville and that was the end of his runs for the season after concerns regarding his jumping abilities.

Windbeneathmywings

Unfortunately picked up an injury during training. This saw him miss the 2025 Cheltenham Champion Bumper. Connections are hoping he can show his top ability over hurdles this coming season.

Lowry's Bar

Ran twice since being one of our picks. He challenged Jingko Blue in the Hampton Novices' Chase (Grade 1) and was only beaten 2 1/4 lengths when making a jumping error 3 out, finishing second. He then missed Ascot due to veterinarians deeming him unfit to race. He was then well backed at 17/2 in the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton, unfortunately bleeding from the nose and resulting in the correct choice of jockey Micheal Nolan to pull him up. This is something his yard have dealt with before and does not hinder his future in racing.

Our picks for the 2025/2026 National Hunt season will be released shortly. What do you think of this list and who do you back for the upcoming season? Let us know below