Henry De Bromhead is the only trainer to have won the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in the same year, a feat he achieved in 2021.

Just weeks later, he saddled the first two horses home in the Aintree Grand National, reconfirming what a great trainer he is.

Here are ten horses from the De Bromhead stable we believe you should follow this season:

Birdie Or Bust

Ran a cracker in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham 2024 to finish third behind Golden Ace and Brighterdaysahead.

She’s since gone chasing and continues to hold her own, especially up against her own sex.

Bob Olinger

Bob Olinger rolled back the years to win last season’s Stayers’ Hurdle, his third Cheltenham Festival success.  

Henry de Bromhead’s stable star looks sure to be contesting the top horse racing betting races again this term.

Captain Guinness

After an unexpected victory in the 2024 Queen Mother Chase, the ten-year-old has never quite hit those heights since. However, he’s a tough campaigner and I can see him picking up some less competitive races over the coming months.

Echoing Silence

The five-year-old mare could potentially be another Honeysuckle if things go to plan.

She was last seen cosily winning a bumper at Down Royal back in March, and the new 2025/26 season is her oyster,

Forty Coats

A point-to-point winner in February 2024, the six-year-old was brought along nicely by De Bromhead, before not disgracing himself in the Turners Novices' Hurdle, despite being a 150/1 shot.

Races will certainly be found for him this season.

Full Of Life

After running pretty well over hurdles last term, Full Of Life is now chasing, and the mare is on the cusp of gaining her maiden victory one would feel.

A close call at Fairyhouse was a positive start for the rest of the campaign.

Gameball

The five-year-old has had just two starts, winning his Ballinrobe debut by a wide-margin before following up on his stable debut for De Bromhead at Punchestown.

After that smart six-length success, he has been quietly backed for the Supreme and will race in Graded company before the New Year.

Heart Wood

The seven-year-old twice finished second in Grade 1’s last season, narrowly defeated in the Drinmore Novice Chase before finding only Fact To File too strong in the Ryanair Chase.

Heart Wood has already made his intentions clear this time, by recently landing the BetVictor Chase at Punchestown.

Jasko Des Dames

De Bromhead’s charge was fifth in last year’s Grand Annual off 131, and plenty more is expected of him this season. He looks the type who could really progress over the winter and spring.

Matin Midi Et Soir

The three-year-old French import, has won two of his three career runs and finished second in the other.

His most recent victory came in the Grade 3 Prix Robert Lejeune at Auteuil, where new owners Robcour purchased him off Munir and Souede. 

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

FIRST PUBLISHED: 31st October 2021

Gordon Elliott is a multiple Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Royal Ascot winning trainer based in Longwood, Co Meath, Ireland.

Elliott has been competing at the top level for many long seasons now, and continues to have a stable full of equine stars on his hands.

Here are just ten horses who we believe will perform well this season:

BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD

Elliott believes that fences could bring the best out of Brighterdaysahead as she prepares for a novice chasing campaign this term.

A three-time Grade 1 winner over hurdles, she will be interesting to follow.

FOUND A FIFTY

After landing the Fairyhouse Chase back in April, Gordon Elliott said about him “Grade Two/Three is probably his level", so that is exactly where we will see him competing this year.

FIREFOX

Seven-year-old Firefox was very much a “nearly” horse last season over fences, but with some careful race planning, and a touch of good fortune, he will be troubling the judge again one feels.

GERRI COLOMBE

"I've no doubt he'll be back better than ever when he does return. I'm not worried about that. It wasn't a big problem which kept him out for the second half of last season, so he'll be fine. He looks brilliant." – says Elliott.

MANGE TOUT  

A half-sister to Impaire Et Passe, this three-year-old filly made put her rivals her rivals to the sword in a Compiegne novice hurdle, romping home by 15 lengths on soft ground.

She’s now joined the powerful Cullentra House stable, and she should have a nice first season.

SANTO SOSPIR

Santo Sospir swooped late to claim victory in a Punchestown bumper back in February and will be an interesting runner over hurdles this season.

Targets could well include the Turners Novices’ Hurdle or Albert Bartlett.

TEAHUPOO

Teahupoo is the leading light in the staying hurdles division. He won the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2024, then came back last season but narrowly missed out in his bid to record back-to-back wins in the race. Would you dare bet against him in 2026?

THE GOFFER

The Goffer ran third in the Topham at Aintree off 137, and now sits on a handy mark of 134.

Recently he has been campaigned at Nationals and Cross-Country races, but he would be better suited by 2m4f in my opinion.

WESTERN FOLD

Western Fold is rapidly progressing through the chasing ranks like a dose of salts and he backed up his Galway Plate victory with another win in the Grade 2 PWC Champion Chase at the start of October.

Inevitably Elliott will be eyeing Grade 1 assignments with him next, and more silverware can be expected. 

WODHOOH

The game mare was a revelation last season, almost going through the entirety of it unbeaten, but lost nothing in defeat behind Lossiemouth, one of Willie Mullins' stable stars, at Aintree.

The Sundowners are in for yet another exciting season in 2025/26. 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Adobe*

Dan Skelton Racing was established in 2013 and is set in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside. Skelton’s set up is set across two yards, Lodge Hill and Badbury Hill Barn, which together offer some of the finest facilities for training the racehorse in the UK.

Since leaving his position as assistant to champion trainer Paul Nicholls, Skelton has built his squad up and up, and is a serious contender for the UK Trainers Championship - heading the horse racing betting market ahead of the new jumps campaign.

Here are ten Skelton-trained horses we believe will be coming into the winners enclosures this season:

Ace Of Spades

“If you like to gamble, I tell you, this six-year-old is your man”, could well be the new substituted words into the famous Motorhead track, should this gelding go on to greater things this season.

An early trip to Haydock for their valuable long-distance hurdle is on the cards, so keep this horse firmly in your tracker.

Boombawn

Won the Grade 2 Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton (2m 4f) last November, and has been a solid chaser since.

The Old Roan Chase at Aintree will be his starting point.

Brace For Landing

Formerly trained by Noel Goerge in France, Brace For Landing showed promise a couple of hurdle races at Compiegne, picking up €15,990.00 in prize money.

The youngster is likely to contest the EBF hurdles series over here.

Grey Dawning

Pretty much Skelton’s top chaser at the moment, and great things are expected once more this term.

The Gold Cup will be the goal this season, but before that he will take in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park.

Joyeux Machin

Joyeux Machin will probably be a Pertemps hope this year, and will certainly hold his own in some of the big staying handicaps.

We are likely to see him racing next at Haydock before Christmas and he will be popular in the betting.

Kaldoun des Rocs

French buy who finished second in the opening 3-Y-O hurdle of the season in March, a race won by Quilixios and Willy de Houelle in recent seasons.

The winner went on to land a Listed affair in France, and Skelton is very excited about him.

L’eau Du Sud

The seven-year-old had a good year last season and won a Grade 1 and two Grade 2’s over fences.

He will be given a Tingle Creek entry, and then they will work out where next after that.

Sheezer Dancer

Finished third to Poetisa in a Mares’ bumper at Cheltenham in April, and will go straight to hurdling for this campaign.

Skelton already has a Listed race at Newbury mapped out for her.

Shinago Theyss

Another French import who could well turn out to be an outstanding filly.

Sired by Goliath du Berlais, his 2022 crop have won many races between them already, and this girl could well be adding to that total.

The New Lion

JP’s horse will be Skelton’s Champion Hurdle hope this season, and the Fighting Fifth will be the most logical stepping stone towards that goal.

The New Lion was unbeaten in five starts last season, including the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury and the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the  Cheltenham Festival.

Chelsea were a glamour-club long before the Premier League materialised, sprinkling its stardust and attracting billionaire owners.

As the Sixties swung, and a fabulous side containing the likes of Peter Osgood and Alan Hudson became known as the ‘Kings of King’s Road’, Hollywood royalty would flock to Stamford Bridge on a semi-regular basis.

Famously, screen siren Raquel Welsh was once in attendance, cheering Ossie on, when the cameras were clicking in her direction at least.

Lifelong fan Sir Richard Attenborough meanwhile would often bring along a famous pal. Steve McQueen took in a game. Clint Eastwood too. Even US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was once seen in SW10 on matchday.

These days the club boasts all manner of famous fans, from acting giants to cricketing heroes.

Sir Michael Caine

Sharing a flat with Terence Stamp and starring in Alfie and The Ipcress File, Caine personified the Swinging Sixties, a time when London was the cultural heartbeat of the world. Naturally then, the iconic actor was drawn to the coolest club around.

The two-time Oscar winner has put in the hard yards since, watching the Blues endure plenty of lean years until the arrival of Roman Abramovich in 2003 changed everything.

So devoted is the 92-year-old he retains a penthouse in Chelsea Harbour so as to attend games.

Jeremy Clarkson

The outspoken presenter-turned-farmer first followed the Blues aged ten, taking pride in being ‘Doncaster’s only Chelsea supporter’.

It was only when he started taking his son to the Bridge however that a long-held casual affiliation developed into an obsession. The former Top Gear star writes about them often for a Sunday newspaper. He tweets uncompromising opinions about the manager, players and opposition.

There is even footage of Clarkson drunk ahead of a Champions League final, airing disparaging remarks about rival fans. Sir Dickie Attenborough would never.

Damon Albarn

The Blur and Gorillaz singer is often spotted in West London, urging on his team. Indeed, he has been a season ticket holder for many a year.

Rarely is he a Charmless Man at matches, instead blending in with other fans, watching games To The End among the Girls & Boys of the West Stand.

Apologies for such awful puns. This Is A Low.

Gordon Ramsay

The fiery chef insists upon perfection when plating up his Michelin-starred grub. Does he demand a similar high bar to the football served up to him on a Saturday afternoon?

Probably not, with Ramsey starting out as a youth player for his boyhood club Rangers until injury cut short his aspirations. The Kitchen Nightmares star is well aware that food can be consistent whereas football is an altogether fickler beast.

Presently Chelsea are distantly priced in the football betting to win a sixth Premier League title this term.

Charlize Theron

In 2009 the Hollywood actress graced the pitch at the Pasadena Bowl to hold aloft a Chelsea shirt ahead of a pre-season friendly with Inter Milan. The acclaimed Oscar-winner has also been seen in SW10, cheering on the Blues, when filming in the UK.

Yet subsequent rumours have emerged that Theron is actually an Arsenal fan. Perhaps she just has a deep and sincere appreciation for Kai Havertz?

Kevin Pietersen

From trolling Arsenal fans to chastising his Chelsea brethren for being overly-critical of team performances, Pietersen doesn’t pull any shots on social media, opining like he played for England across a decade-long cricketing career.

Residing in Chelsea with his former pop star wife - Jessica Taylor of Liberty X – Pietersen counts Frank Lampard and John Terry as close friends.

Ellie Goulding

When the pop songstress dated Ed Sheeran it was apparently the norm for the pair to visit Stamford Bridge one weekend, then Portman Road the next.

Now, with no obligation to head east to Suffolk, Goulding devotes all of her footballing passion for the Blues, regularly taking selfies at home games.

Bryan Adams

Did Adams start his Chelsea odyssey in the summer of ’69? Well no, but his support goes back an awfully long way, all the same.

To 1985 in fact, when the croaky-voiced singer first took up residency in London, purchasing a property in Chelsea and taking in a game out of curiosity. He’s been a season ticket holder ever since.

To the Canadian’s enormous credit he eschews VIP treatment for sitting in the main stand, his low-key demeanour appreciated by the rest of the fans who don’t typically hassle him.

“All I get is ‘Awight mate’,” he remarked in a recent interview.

Will Farrell

The Anchorman star has recently distanced himself from the Blues, presumably because he is now a co-owner of LAFC in the MLS.

"I have to say I don't really have a side over here, I just enjoy following all the storylines,” he admitted, when pressed on a Premier League allegiance.

Yet numerous trips to the Bridge contradict that storyline, while the actor is certainly friends with several former players of the club. He even once claimed to have a hand in Jose Mourinho’s sacking in 2015 after making a joke about the coach’s uber-defensive ways.

What we know for sure is that Farrell is a sports nut, attending ice hockey games and annually spotted at Wimbledon. He has even started rooting for Wrexham, in support of his friend Ryan Reynolds.

John Major

A well-worn – and unfounded – rumour has it that Bill Clinton is a Blue, travelling up to the capital when a student at Oxford University to cheer on the lads. Back then, Chelsea were often outsiders in the sports betting but were a stylish side and fun to watch.

There is also his daughter to consider, named of course, Chelsea.

Alas, none of it is true, but not to worry because the London giant does possess a former world leader among their supporting ranks all the same.

John Major’s first love may be cricket but he is a regular attendee at the Bridge.

Willie Mullins commenced training in 1988 having worked as assistant to both his father Paddy and to Jim Bolger.

A former six time amateur champion in Ireland, his personal greatest riding moments were winning the 1983 Aintree Foxhunters on Atha Cliath and the 1996 Cheltenham Champion Bumper on Wither or Which.

As a trainer Willie has won just about every major prize in Ireland, most of the big ones in the UK and several in France as well for good measure. Annually you will always find his horses quoted in the Grand National betting. 

Willie has been the Champion NH trainer in Ireland for the last eighteen years and he has won the title nineteen times in total, as well as winning the British trainers championship in each of the last two years. This has contributed greatly to Willie Mullins net worth estimates.

He is undoubtedly the dominant force in jumps racing right now and choosing just 10 Willie Mullins horses to follow is no easy task. However, we've had a go - keep this bunch onside for the 2025/2026 season.

Anzadam

Unbeaten in four starts over hurdles including a Grade Three hurdle at Fairyhouse in November and in another Grade Three at Naas in January.

Mullins believes he has enough potential to be sent down the Champion Hurdle route, and there is every chance that Anzadam could take on Nicky Henderson's stable star Constitution Hill in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on November 29. 

Champ Kiely

It feels like this nine-year-old has been around for ages, and he seems to be getting better with age.

Now rated 158 in chases, Champ Kiely won three of his five starts in novice chases including the Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival.

He’s looking very much like a King George VI Chase hopeful. 

Dinoblue

Dinoblue’s record totally speaks for itself, with the gallant mare winning eight of her 16 starts over fences including the Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season.

She will go down exactly the same route as last year according to Mullins. 

Fact To File

Winner of five of his nine starts over fences including the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

This season he will be a live Gold Cup hope for JP McManus, but before then we could well see him tackle the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.

Gaelic Warrior

Gaelic Warrior has won five of his nine starts over fences including the Aintree Bowl and the Oaksey Chase at Sandown, and he is yet another potential Gold Cup starter for the yard. 

The John Durkan and the King George will be on his radar first.

Galopin Des Champs 

His CV speaks for itself, having won 12 of his 18 starts over fences including 11 Grade one contests, most notably two editions of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Galopin Des Champs will race in exactly the same five races as last season.

Kopek Des Bordes

The five-year-old landed three of his four starts in novice hurdles last season including the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at The Festival.

He will go novice chasing this season, and should turn into a serious Arkle contender.

Madness D’Elle

Finished third on his only start for Daniela Mele in the Prix Gemix at Auteuil in May. Beaten 6-lengths that day by Shannon Maestro who went on to finish second in the Listed Prix Stanley next time.

He’s an interesting young purchase for the Ricci’s.

Narciso Has 

Narciso Has was snapped up by Willie Mullins for owner JP McManus after this hugely impressive debut at Auteuil back in April.

The three-year-old, a son of renowned jumps stallion Doctor Dino, was an eased-down winner of the 1m7f Prix Wild Monarch for colts and geldings.

Poetisa 

Mullins bought Poetisa for £300,000 from Toby Bulgin at the Doncaster's Goffs UK Spring Horses in Training and Point-to-Point Sale.

Poetisa can be backed at 10-1 for the Mares Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. 

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Adobe*

Paul Nicholls is one of the top trainers in National Hunt racing, closing in on 4,000 winners over jumps.

A 14-time champion trainer in the United Kingdom, Nicholls’ Ditcheat empire is rocking and rolling ahead of what could be another memorable season.

While many of his horses feature in horse racing betting odds for the Cheltenham Festival, Nicholls admits that Aintree is just as important when it comes to his yard.

Here, we look at 10 of the best Paul Nicholls horses to follow in 2025/26. The Ditcheat handler will be hoping to defy the odds by claiming a 15th British trainers title come the end of the campaign...

Babyken

Babyken is a French purchase and the youngster should make into a tidy horse. He’s shown plenty at home and will set off on a juvenile hurdle campaign at the end of October.

Blueking D’oroux 

Blueking D’oroux arrived from France with a fairly tall reputation but took a while to adapt to his new surroundings.

Nicholls says he is the sort that could make a much better chaser than he was a hurdler and has very high hopes for him.

Caldwell Potter

Formerly trained by Gordon Elliott, Caldwell Potter provided Nicholls with his 50th Festival success when landing the Grade 2 Jack Richard Novices’ Limited Handicap at Cheltenham.

Early considerations are the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on November 15th or the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park.

Doctor On Call

Won on debut in a bumper at Hereford in December of last year, and has done plenty of schooling and jumps well.

He should play his part in the novice hurdles over the winter.

Inthewaterside

Nicholls has said of Inthewaterside that he is a horse  he likes a lot, and he is looking forward to his return in graduation races this season.

Jubilee Alpha

This six-year-old bay mare was very smart last season and there will be plenty of nice races in her to come.

She’s a candidate for the mares' hurdle on Charlie Hall Day at Wetherby, with the Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival being the ultimate goal.

No Drama This End

Winner of his only point-to-point, he took his bumper very well at Warwick and ran a fair race in the Champion Bumper.

He will go novice hurdling now, starting off in a two-and-a-half miles maiden hurdle at a racecourse possibly near you?

Pourquoi Pas Papa

This three-year-old was bought from France by Anthony Bromley over the summer.

He finished second on his only start for David Cottin in a 3-Y-O debutantes hurdle at Clairefontaine in June, finishing one-and-a-half lengths behind Parchment, who has subsequently joined David Pipe.

He will run in either NH novice hurdles or juvenile hurdles.

Rubaud

Victorious in the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton for a second consecutive year before switching to fences landing the Grade 2 Pendil Chase at Kempton.

Rubaud looks like a Haldon Gold Cup type if ever there was one.

Threeunderthrufive

Rated a 152 chaser, he ran his best race last season when runner-up, beaten a nose to Victtorino in the Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot.

Staying handicaps, including the Scottish National could well be on the cards this term.

*Credit for the main photo in this article belongs to Adobe*

Nicky Henderson began his training career in 1978, after being the assistant to Fred Winter. He moved to the Seven Barrows yard with its private gallops in 1992 and has not looked back.

The yard has excellent facilities and plenty of land around for the horses to relax when out of training or between races.

Henderson has trained some of the greats down the years - Altior, Buveur d'Air, Epatante, L'Ami Serge, Might Bite, Shishkin, Sprinter Sacre and of course – Constitution Hill. Some of his horses have even featured in the annual Royal Ascot betting.

Henderson clocked up seven Grade 1’s last term, and we’re pretty sure he’ll have his fair share of them again this year. Here are ten Seven Barrows horses that we think you should follow in the 2025/26 season:

Act Of Innocence

This five-year-old was a surprise departure from the Paul Nicholls stable over the closed season, but Henderson can pick up where Nicholls left off.

Scored by two and three quarters lengths in a bumper at Taunton in March, and will be entered into novices’ hurdles this year. 

Califet En Vol 

Took the Listed Sidney Banks Memorial at Huntingdon in February, then finished sixth to Julius Des Pictons in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle in April.

He’s likely to go novice chasing and he could well be high-class.

Constitution Hill

The former Champion Hurdler is back with something to prove now, but he’s 100% sound and is probably going to kick off his campaign in the Fighting Fifth again.

What happens after that is anyone’s guess, but his fortunes could well make a turn for the better this season.

Iberico Lord

Second-season chasers usually come on a bundle, and Iberico Lord can do just that.

His season fizzled out last time after experiencing a fall at Ascot, but if he’s back firing this winter, then he should be top-class.

Jango Baie

Jango Baie stormed up the hill in sensational fashion to turn over the odds-on favourite Majborough and win the Arkle Chase for Nicky Henderson last season.

Henderson says of the horse that he has been seriously exciting, and they dream of more victories to come.

Jeriko Du Reponet

Finished runner-up to stablemate Doddiethegreat in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham last March and will probably go chasing this season.

Joyeuse

The six-year-old mare romped home in the Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle at Newbury and finished last season on a mark of 142 over hurdles. Novices’ chases look like being her thing this time around.

Manlaga

Manlaga was a clearcut winner of the Prix Auricula (for 3YO fillies unraced over jumps) won previously by dual Grade 1 winner Kargese.

She has since been purchased by JP McManus and joins Henderson at Seven Barrows.

Mariole

French recruit Mariole, is a half-brother to hurdle winners Jilaijone, Heloi and La Pagaille. His dam was a winning French hurdler, plus the daughter of the half-sister to Azertyuiop.

This horse could easily fly under the betting radar, so please put him in your trackers.

Thewoodcorner 

By The Grey Gatsby, Thewoodcorner looks an ideal type for Henderson to crack on with this season in juvenile hurdles.

The French import should bring plenty of enjoyment to his syndicate owners.

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Adobe*

La Liga teams are the most successful in European Cup history, lifting the trophy on 120occasions.

Selecting a greatest ever La Liga XI is no easy feat. Comparisons need to be made between the dominant teams of decades past and the golden era 21st century icons.

La Liga All-Time Best XI:

• Iker Casillas
• Dani Alves
• Gerard Pique
• Sergio Ramos
• Roberto Carlos
• Xavi
• Andres Iniesta
• Zinedine Zidane
• Johan Cruyff
• Lionel Messi
• Cristiano Ronaldo

Some names, like Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga betting, are locks. Other positions were more contentious.

Our team lines up in a 4-3-3 with marauding full-backs from Brazil and an entirely non-Spanish front line featuring three of the most important players in the history of the sport.

The midfield was perhaps where the decisions were trickiest, with some big names left out of the XI. 

Wherever La Liga ranks among the best leagues in European football, there’s no denying the strength of this team. It’s the the most impressive of any we’ve compiled so far.