National Hunt 2019/2020 Preview

In the 12 years JPW Racing Tipster has been operating, I must admit this is the most I have been looking forward to a National Hunt Season.

The flat has it’s perks with so many festivals throughout the summer but give me a cold wet day watching the likes of Altior, any day of the week. Proper Horse Racing is how I like to to describe it with proper Horse Racing fans. I am not saying Flat Racing does not have good racing fans, but when it is Cold, wet and windy these fans are the die-hards just for the love of National Hunt Racing.

What a season we have in store.

These are just some of the questions and debates we have got to look forward over the coming months and this is why, for me, National Hunt Racing is by far the favoured code to Horse Racing Fans. 

You have these superstars come along in Flat Racing with Pinatubo looking likely to be the next superstar. Apart from Enable you are lucky to see these superstars past 2 years because of the value of them when it comes to breeding. Whereas with National Hunt Racing you get to see these great horses for around 8 seasons. Kauto Star, Denman and Sprinter Sacre, just to name a few from this era. The racing fan builds a connection with the horse and ultimately this is why I think the code attracts the new young generation of fans.

You only got to look around Social Media at present and the new breed of tipsters/content writers who are very young. They have been taking a lot of stick from the older generation for having an opinion on Horse Racing before their time. I think it is totally unfair and without naming any names (it is not my job to promote them), I think these youngsters are excellent for the sport. They are the new generation and are attracting new people to the sport which is a good thing not only for National Hunt Racing but whole sport in general.

I started out as a 23 year old tipster 12 years ago so I can certainly relate to them and JPW Racing Tipster and Tipsters Empire, have come along way in those 12 years.

The new younger generation of tipsters/content writers and why National Hunt rules. 99% of these youngsters got into racing because of National Hunt Racing and will describe how they fell in love with Cheltenham or the Grand National.

For the new generation, the love for the sport starts at National Hunt Racing and the sport will continue to grow through National Hunt Racing.

Bring on the winter months.

Let’s start by going through some of the questions raised at the start of the blog.

This question will certainly divide opinions. What a legend this horse is already and if he can stay 3 miles and go on to win a Gold Cup he will become a great. He is a great in his own right but by winning a Gold Cup it is cements him in the place of greats. Last season he had 5 races and won every race convincingly always doing his best work late on. At the Cheltenham Festival and at Sandown on his last start, he did look like a horse who was crying out for a step up in trip. He was off the bridle both times but his class got him through the race.

Personally I think he is going to be a better horse over further but you have to ask the question, how much further. In no way am I comparing Oscar Whiskey to Altior but he is the first horse who comes to mind when you think of a horse to slow for 2 miles and didn’t stay 3 miles. Could Altior be one of those horses? I guess we will only find out in the King George which will then tell you which way he goes at the Cheltenham Festival. Everyone is going to have their own opinion on this but I think he will could get caught out a 3 miles. Not only is he stepping up to 3 miles for the King George but he is going to have a big test on his hands with Cyrname likely to go out very fast. The other horses will also ensure the race is run at a fast pace and use every ammunition they have to try and get Altior beat. It is not going to be a King George where they will go an even gallop all the way around, you will have to stay 3 miles in this race and if you don’t you will be beat, as simple as that. I guess unless he puts in a mind-blowing performance in his prep race for the King George or the race don’t fall apart, I am going to be taking him at this early stage. I would much rather bet the horse to win the Queen Mother at 5/1 than the Gold Cup at 16/1 at this early stage. Reason being is if he don’t win the King George or even wins it by a neck and looked a horse who didn’t stay, he will run in the Queen Mother Chase. I hope Altior proves me wrong as I love a great in this sport but he does have a big task on his hands especially as a nearly 10 year old.

Buveur D’Air is a horse I like a lot and he was very good on his final start at Punchestown under a superb Davy Russell ride. Last season was the one season where he did look like he was on the decline and then he goes and puts in a top performance at Punchestown. He clearly still has it and you could say he had his excuses last season. His first loss was at Kempton on Boxing Day, a course which probably does not play to his strengths. He was a faller at the Cheltenham Festival in the Champion Hurdle so we will never know. He then finished 2nd at Aintree over 2m 4f in heavy ground. He simply didn’t get home in the ground and was outstayed by a horse who has finished 2nd in a World Hurdle over 3 miles. I think he will come back as good as ever and he is still only an 8 year old. He is literally in his prime.

Klassical Dream remains unbeaten in four starts since joining Willie Mullins last season. He was a very impressive winner of the Supreme Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and then just as impressive when winning at the Punchestown Festival. This horse still has so much more improvement to come and given he is already a very good jumper, I think he has what it takes to serve it up to Buveur D’Air. I do however think he is a chaser in the making and would potentially improve more for a step up in trip. It depends on what improvement he has left in him but at this early stage at the prices of 7/2 and 6/1, I would lean towards Buveur D’Air at 6/1 if I was to strike a bet tomorrow.

I am happy to let Klassical Dream tell me as the season goes on so at the moment, I guess I am happy to stick with a horse who has been and seen it, not once but twice.

The last horse to win back to back Gold Cups was Best Mate. Kauto Star won two Gold Cups but that was not back to back, he returned after losing to Denman in 2008. Although Al Boum Photo won well last season I think this season looks even hotter with the likes of Santini and Lostintranslation coming through from last season.

You also have Kemboy who was a faller at the 1st fence in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but went on to win at Aintree and Punchestown, both in impressive style.

You also have to think of Altior who if he goes and wins the King George he will be heading to the Gold Cup.

I am will happily be taking on Al Boum Photo as I think last years Gold Cup was a bit weak.

At this early stage I am in the Lostintranslation camp. He is a horse who looks proper Gold Cup material and a horse I think is very good. A big horse who is built very well and what you would describe as a proper National Hunt Horse. He had a decent season last year with two wins and lots of places. He came 2nd in the JLT Novice Chase to Defi De Seuil but that looks top class form as Defi De Seuil looked special that day. I think the fact they kept him around 2m 4f until he went to Aintree will bode him well this season, as his races were not as hard as the likes of Santini over 3 miles. On his final start he was upped to 3m 1f and brushed aside RSA Chase winner Topofthegame, quite effortlessly. It showed that he is a proper 3 mile horse who jumps and can travel through races. He also has a turn of speed which can be important to put a race to bed over 3+ miles. I am really looking forward to seeing how much he has improved this season and I will be having a little bit Ante Post before his first run.

Of course he can, I would be a fool to stand here and say he couldn’t. He is on a mark of 172 compared to 159 last season so you could see a Grand National of 11st 12lb Tiger Roll and most of the others at 10st. I will be cheering him all the way come April 2020 as he is an extraordinary horse who started out over 2 miles when winning Triumph Hurdle.

He is short enough though at 5/1 in the Ante Post market with over 6 months still to go. I don’t think you will have many people betting him at that price, if anyone just yet.

It is a challenge which is going to be hard next year giving the weight he will have to give away but if anyone can win then Tiger Roll can. What a story that will be if he does do it.

At this very early stage I would be inclined to look at someone like Talkischeap who went and won Bet 365 Gold Cup at Sandown on his last start. The step up to 3m 5f certainly done the trick and for a novice it was some performance. He is available at 33/1 and although I won’t be getting involved at this very early stage, I can’t see why he won’t go to the Grand National and why he would not be shorter on the day. Injuries can always be a problem so this is not an advised bet, just my thoughts at this stage.

These are just some of the questions we have coming our way over the National Hunt Season and I thought it would be a nice introduction to get us ready for season.

Over the next few weeks we will have a couple of blogs coming your way, which will include 5 Handicap Horses to follow and an early look at some big races, such as the Betfair Chase and Ladbrokes Trophy.

We are fully focussed for the upcoming National Hunt Season and we are looking to make it the 12th season in a row of profit.

We specialise in National Hunt Racing and we will be launching our 5th edition of the JPW 40 To Follow which has been a big hit over the years.

I would love to take you through the season with our Complete National Hunt Package. That will include our JPW 40 To Follow, Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Service and 6 months and 3 weeks of tips.

The price of this is £119.99 but if you use discount code – NATIONALHUNT25 it will give you 25% OFF.

This is the best value National Hunt Package in the industry and given you get a book and access to our Ante Post Service, it is a must for any National Hunt fan.

You are in safe hands with a tipster who lives and breaths National Hunt Racing and will be going all out to make it 12 on a trot.

Hopefully look forward to having you on board as we take it to the bookies over the next 6 months and 3 weeks.

The season officially starts on Friday 11th October at Chepstow.