The British jump racing season is really ramping up as we head further into the winter, with some of the year’s top races already having been run, and a host more coming up before and after Christmas. Many of the top equine superstars have already made their return to action, but some are still being put through their final paces as they wait to return to the racetrack once again.
Below are three horses in training today to watch out for in the 2023/24 season.
Three Of The Best
Constitution Hill
Quickly becoming one of the greatest horses to grace a racetrack, Constitution Hill is arguably the best racehorse in training today. Trained by veteran, Nicky Henderson, the brilliant hurdler is now unbeaten in seven starts, all but one of which has come at the highest level.
Last season’s Champion Hurdle winner is the favourite in the horse racing betting odds for the same race this season, and barring a mishap, he is going to be very hard to beat. His first run in this campaign is likely to come in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, a race in which he was victorious 12 months ago.
He is described as being lazy and sleepy at home, but once the powerful 6-year-old hits the track he certainly wakes up. Don’t miss this superstar horse adding to his legacy in the months ahead.
Galopin Des Champs
Constitution Hill may dominate the hurdling sphere of jump racing, but when it comes to the staying chasers, it is the Willie Mullins trained, Galopin Des Champs, that leads the way. The striking big bay horse is a joy to behold over the larger fences and leaves spectators with mouths ajar as he makes his way around the racetrack.
He has only failed to win two of his eight chasing starts, with one of those being a final fence fall when miles clear in the 2022 Turners Novices’ Chase. He would make amends for that mishap twelve months later when flew home to win the coveted Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Defending that title will be the target again for this season, but before that, we may see him in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown, and the King George VI Chase at Kempton over Christmas.
Corach Rambler
Although he may not have the sheer class of both Constitution Hill and Galopin Des Champs, Corach Rambler possesses something that is also needed to be considered a great horse – a will to win. Lucinda Russell’s horse is now best known for his brilliant Grand National win at Aintree last season, but we should not forget that he is also a two-time Cheltenham Festival winner.
The sometimes quirky 9-year-old has won the Ultima Handicap Chase twice in a row but at this season’s Festival, he is likely to have his sights raised significantly. Entered in the Gold Cup, he will be put to the test like never before, but he has proved his doubters wrong many times now, and he certainly has the jumping power and stamina to compete in the blue ribband of National Hunt racing.
These are just three of the horses that are must-see talents this season, but there are many more talented rivals out there. All in all, it is shaping up to be another magnificent year on the track.
