The gloom overhead and darkness setting in earlier and earlier across the UK can only mean one thing, horse racing is set to light up the sovereign state’s sporting landscape, as the jump season is upon us.

Following the British Horseracing Authority confirming several changes to the 2025/26 programme, Matt Parr offers a preview of an exciting few months that will be headlined by next year’s Cheltenham Festival and the Randox Grand National.

Speaking to SBC News, the Head of Horse Racing at Amelco elaborates on what could be the major talking points, where punters’ attention should perhaps be directed and just what the aforementioned alternations could have in store.

SBC News: What is the single biggest storyline or talking point heading into the new season – is it a champion returning, an emerging young star, or the continued dominance of certain trainers like Willie Mullins?

Matt Parr: The big question is whether the Irish powerhouses can maintain their grip on the major staying prizes, or if Britain’s new wave can start closing the gap. This year’s narrative is less about one champion and more about the competitive health of the UK yards.

Dan Skelton has quietly assembled a formidable team with real depth across the divisions, and he’ll be a strong challenger. Meanwhile, Paul Nicholls – having lost some of his headline horses – will be looking to rebuild momentum around a younger, developing squad. We expect the early season to be an ongoing skirmish for superiority, setting the tone for the major winter festivals.

SBCN: Which three horses, whether returning champions or promising novices, should punters and fans be most excited about this season, and why?

MP: There are two standout chasers that immediately come to mind. First is Caldwell Potter, a young chaser who made a big impression stepping up in trip and class last season, particularly with his wins in a novice handicap at Cheltenham and the Grade 1 Mildmay at Aintree. #

His performances revealed a serious engine over a longer distance and an excellent aptitude for jumping. He’s now perfectly positioned to transition into the senior chase ranks and accelerate the chase division’s narrative, potentially filling the void left by older champions. Every run he makes will be dissected, directly impacting his Gold Cup price.

The second would be Kopek Des Bordes, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner. The sheer speed and slick jumping he displayed at Cheltenham suggests he could be a potent force over two-mile fences, offering a strong challenge to the existing two-mile chasers. For me, he’s an obvious one to track, especially if his connections decide to tackle the highly competitive Arkle and novice chase path.

SBCN: The Irish dominance at the Cheltenham Festival has been well documented. Do you see any major signs that the balance of power will shift back towards the UK this season?

MP: While it’s tempting to say yes, the reality is that the Irish yards still have the depth and proven firepower, as last year’s Cheltenham results showed. Dan Skelton certainly has a very strong team this season, but the Irish will still hold a strong hand, particularly in the Grade 1 contests.

However, a structural, long-term shift is being attempted. The BHA’s new initiatives, focused on strengthening Britain’s novice chase scene through enhanced prize money and better developmental paths, are a crucial piece of the puzzle.

The vision is focused on building a better infrastructure, rather than seeking a simple, quick fix. If that is done correctly, we should be seeing an increase in the depth and quality of the British contenders in all thirty-three races.

Ireland remains the favourite for overall Festival dominance, but the pendulum could begin to move – slowly, rather than suddenly. This subtle shift would provide a much-needed increase in competitiveness for UK jump racing, which in turn will offer punters a more varied landscape throughout the year.

SBCN: The BHA has recently confirmed changes to the race programme to encourage the development of young horses. How will these programmatic adjustments impact the overall quality and field sizes of early-season jump racing?

MP: The BHA’s programme changes are perhaps the most significant structural developments we have seen in recent years, demonstrating a progressive approach. They are designed for short-term, necessary disruption but with a clear focus on the sport’s long-term benefit.

The introduction of broader novice pathways and specific conditions, such as minimum rating requirements for certain top-tier races, will lead to a more meritocratic system. While we might see slightly smaller field sizes in some elevated novice contests initially as trainers adapt to the new qualifying criteria, this is a necessary short-term trade-off.

The ultimate intention is sound: by requiring horses to earn their place at the top table, we should see better quality contests overall. This will lead to stronger horses in training, healthier field sizes in the mid-tiers where betting volume is high, and critically for the betting sector, cleaner, more reliable data for our own pricing and trading models.

This focus on nurturing talent early and establishing clear benchmarks is a commitment to the long-term integrity and competitive balance of the sport. I have no doubt that this is a positive step for both the integrity of the sport itself, and the betting ecosystem, promising a more predictable and high-quality product for our partners to offer their customers. The industry needs to show patience, but the foundations for a stronger future are certainly being laid now.