Three promising Irish novices to follow across the jumps season This is always an exciting time of year for jump racing fans, as we’re starting to see some really nice horses in novice hurdles and chases. Consistently softer ground will arrive eventually and we’re likely to see even more when that happens. All roads lead to Cheltenham and Punchestown now and every trainer will be hoping their best novices can make their marks in all the top races. We’ve picked out three particularly exciting novices to keep an eye out for this season and they could go all the way. Romeo Coolio Gordon Elliott’s gelding Romeo Coolio wasn’t far away from the top of the tree when at his very best as a novice hurdler last term and he stuck to his task well to hold on for third in the Supreme at Cheltenham in March. Showing bundles of promise as a bumper horse before that, he won on soft ground at Fairyhouse in January 2024 and went on to finish second behind Jasmin De Vaux in the Champion Bumper. There was lots to like about his dominant display when starting off over hurdles at Down Royal last year but was a little below-par at Fairyhouse after that. Getting back on track in good style at Leopardstown, he won a Grade 1 novice event by nine lengths. He made the perfect start to his chasing career back at Down Royal last weekend and he easily got the better of Henry de Bromhead’s Koktail Divin, who is a talented prospect himself. Bigger challenges are ahead and all roads lead to the Arkle now. Gameofinches Willie Mullins’ six-year-old Gameofinches looks every inch a chaser and his trainer clearly agrees. He was purchased off the back of a nine-length success in a point-to-point at Dromahane and produced a powerful performance to win a bumper at Punchestown on his first start under rules in February. Gameofinches was keen enough in the early stages of the race but he still had plenty left in the tank and ran out a convincing winner. That form has received a boost since, as the fourth-placed horse Casterly Rock went on to win a couple of starts later. Mullins has skipped a hurdles campaign with the likes of Florida Pearl and Fact To File, decisions that definitely worked out well. The plan for Gameofinches is seemingly to go straight over fences and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he ends up landing some of the top prizes. Jalon D’oudairies Another one for Gordon Elliott, Jalon D’Oudairies looked very smart when winning a couple of bumpers in December 2023. He then headed to Cheltenham for the Champion Bumper and acquitted himself well, finishing third behind Jasmin De Vaux. Injury issues have led to him missing a season, but a novice hurdling campaign should be on the agenda now. Many people would have forgotten about this talented performer but he has enough ability to compete in all the top novice hurdles and is well set for a big year.
