2025/26 Jumps Season Preview: The Winter Game Awaits

With the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the books, Races Now’s Harry Fowler starts the process that many horse racing fans will be doing over the coming days – turning their attentions to the new jumps season.

The National Hunt is here

As the flat season fades and the leaves begin to fall, the pulse of the National Hunt world quickens once more.

From the first novice hurdles in October to the glory of Cheltenham and the roar of Aintree in April, jump racing’s winter saga is about to unfold all over again. The 2025/26 campaign promises a captivating mix of established champions, rising stars and a familiar calendar steeped in history and heart.

How does the National Hunt season work?​

When the jumps season truly begins depends on who you ask.

Some point to Chepstow in mid-October, but with Ascot’s Champions Day still to come, it feels as though the season really gets going with Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting.

A month later, we’re into serious territory. Prestbury Park’s November Meeting is a staple of the calendar, while Haydock’s Betfair Chase often crowns the first heavyweight of the staying ranks.

December then delivers Grade 1 action in abundance. The Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle opens the Champion Hurdle narrative, and Sandown’s Tingle Creek Chase brings the two-mile speedsters into focus.

Christmas, of course, means Kempton’s King George VI Chase, the midwinter championship that has produced legends from Desert Orchid to Clan Des Obeaux.

After the turn of the year, all roads lead to the Cheltenham Festival in March. Trials Day in January provides a final platform for horses to book their Festival tickets, and then the event itself arrives: four days, 28 races, and every trainer, jockey, and punter measuring success by what happens on that sacred hill.

Then comes Aintree’s Grand National meeting, followed by Punchestown, where Irish champions meet on home soil for one final flourish.

Let’s take a closer look at the state of play across the various divisions heading into 2025-26.

The Hurdlers

Two-Milers

The Champion Hurdle division looks wide open. The New Lion, last season’s Turners Novices’ winner, steps out of novice company for Dan Skelton and could be the new force in town.

All eyes, though, remain on Constitution Hill. Can the superstar rediscover his brilliance? His story will shape the season’s narrative, for better or worse.

State Man seeks redemption after his agonising late fall at Cheltenham, while the brilliant mare Lossiemouth – already a triple Festival winner – deserves her chance to take on the boys at the highest level.

Staying Hurdlers

Last season, the Robcour colours ruled. Bob Olinger, Hiddenvalley Lake, and Teahupoo shared the major staying prizes at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown respectively, and all three return as leading contenders this term.

Ballyburn’s switch back to hurdles adds serious spice to the mix. His engine has never been in doubt, and this trip could play perfectly to his strengths.

Meanwhile, stablemate Jasmin De Vaux, winner of the Albert Bartlett, is another potent Mullins weapon in a deep and competitive division.

The Chasers

Two-Milers

Marine Nationale sets the standard. Slow to start last season but brilliant by spring, his 18-length demolition at Cheltenham and seven-length Punchestown win marked him out as the one they all have to beat.

Jonbon remains a top-class operator — so consistent through the season, only for one mistake in the Champion Chase to end his hopes. Expect him back stronger and hungrier for that elusive Festival success.

Il Etait Temps must also be respected after his devastating Celebration Chase win at Sandown, where he crushed Jonbon on his only outing of the campaign.

Middle-Distance

The two-and-a-half-mile division looks fluid, with many capable of stepping up or dropping down.

Last season’s sparkling Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File could well develop into a Gold Cup horse, while Majborough might thrive at this intermediate trip – a distance likely to sharpen his jumping and stretch his stamina just enough.

Could Jonbon move up? It’s not impossible. Meanwhile, Arkle hero Jango Baie appears King George-bound early on but may have the Ryanair as his long-term goal.

S​taying Chasers

Galopin Des Champs was imperious for much of last season, bar an uncharacteristic effort at Cheltenham. His Irish Gold Cup performance was electric and one I have watched over and over. Ultimately, he will be back to regain his Cheltenham crown.

Inothewayurthinkin announced himself as a serious player when landing the Gold Cup at just seven, though. With further improvement expected, his clash with Galopin promises to be one of the defining duels of the year.

Should Fact To File step up in trip, he could make this division even more compelling.

2026 ​Grand National

Over four miles and 30 fences, the Grand National remains the race that stops the world. Nick Rockett, last year’s winner, will be back to defend his crown, fitness permitting.

Haiti Couleurs looks set for another big season after his dominant Irish National success, while Iroko, who stayed on strongly for fourth at Aintree, will be a popular fancy come April.

Who will win the 2026 National Hunt Trainers' Championship?

The Trainers’ Championship promises to be a fascinating battle once again on British shores.

Willie Mullins snatched the title from Dan Skelton last spring, but Skelton’s powerful and growing string suggests he’ll fight tooth and nail to reclaim it.

Mullins’ depth remains unmatched, yet with British yards resurgent and the Skeltons’ rise continuing, the balance of power may shift back and forth all winter long.

Do not be surprised to see things going down to the final weekend once again.

Just writing this has left me licking my lips. Roll on the jumps!