Gavin Cromwell
Gavin Cromwell’s William Hill Blog: 2026/27 Jumps Season Preview
William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell talks us through his team for the 2026/27 National Hunt season, including five horses to follow.
Stable Stars
Inothewayurthinkin – Last season was a disaster for him really. He’s had a good summer and he’s come back in really well, so I’m optimistic we’re going to have a good year with him. Fingers crossed everything goes smoother with him this year and I’m just hoping we get a clear run because he has a huge amount of ability, as everyone knows.
Only By Night – She had a good season last year and she’ll stick to the mares’ races this year. She’s summered well but she’s probably not ready to start for another month or so. The Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham will be the ultimate aim again.
The Passing Wife – He’s going to stay over hurdles for the moment. He might be a hard horse to place now because he’s quite high in the handicap and going to graded level out of novice company is very difficult. We’ll probably start him off in the Lismullen Hurdle in Navan.
Will The Wise – He had a brilliant season last year and he’s on a little break at the moment. We’ll aim to have him back for Christmas and target the spring festivals. We’d love for him to end up in the Grand National. He’s won over those fences and I think he can stay the trip.
Final Orders – He ran a brilliant race to win over in Pardubice. That was a great day. It’s a long journey and a tough race which took a lot out of Stumptown last year. We won’t rush him back and we’ll be aiming at the Cross Country at the Cheltenham Festival.
Stumptown – He’ll start off in the Munster National and then hopefully head to Punchestown for the first banks race of the season there. He’ll probably end up in the Cross Country at Cheltenham again.
Now Is The Hour – He’s back in work after picking up an injury which put him out of the Grand National last year. We probably won’t see him on the track until Christmas.
Five To Follow
Boycetown – He ran really well in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham to finish fourth last season, and then again to finish third at Punchestown. He came from the point-to-point ranks and he jumps well. He’s summered well, we’re looking forward to getting him out and he’s one to follow this season.
Outofafrika – He is a chaser in the making but we’re looking forward to going hurdling with him this season. He won a bumper last season but I still think he was a little immature and backward. We like him a lot and hopefully he’ll make a nice hurdler.
Begorra Man – We’ve always thought he would be a chaser and that’s the route we want to go down this season. He may have one run over hurdles to start the season, but he’s definitely a chaser. Had three seconds last season so he’s still a maiden, but I think he’ll improve plenty for a fence. We really like him and he’s a chaser to follow.
Hello Neighbour – Another chaser to follow. He had his first start over fences in Sligo two weeks ago and although he only finished third, I think he’ll have learned a lot from the experience. He jumped a bit novicey and the front two just got away from him. I think a big galloping track will suit him and as he learns he could make into a nice chaser.
If You Believe – A dark horse to follow this season. He’s only had two starts, one in a bumper and the other in a maiden hurdle, both of which he disappointed in. He’s been going really well at home and with a step up in trip I can see him being a nice hurdler. We like him plenty and he could potentially be an Albert Bartlett horse.
Others To Watch
Sixandahalf – She disappointed on her chasing debut in Sligo. We’ll probably try her again over fences because she jumps well, but she hasn’t run well for quite a while now and you just wonder whether she’s the same mare she was when she finished second in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle.
Ballysax Hank – We don’t have a definite path for him, but I’d say we’ll step him up to two-and-a-half miles. He probably won’t start off until closer to Christmas.
Le Nez Creux – She has been disappointing to be honest. We were very excited when we got her but she hasn’t shown us what we were hoping for. That said, she might come back yet.
Lennon Grove – She ran a nice race in Listowel last month, but I was slightly disappointed with her jumping. Hopefully she learned plenty for that. I think she’s a really nice mare that could end up in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle.
Largy Star – We’ll go chasing straight away with him. We gave him one run over hurdles and he kicked every hurdle out of the ground. He’s a massive horse and he should improve for a fence.
Coole Café – She won an academy hurdle on her first start and then went on to win a Listed bumper. She jumps well and she’ll start off in a maiden hurdle. We’re looking forward to her.
Araminta – She didn’t manage to win a bumper last season but I think she’s a good mare and I’m looking forward to her going hurdling this season. She loves soft ground and she’s a fine big mare.
New Recruits
Whatareuthinkin – He’s a full brother to Inothewayurthinkin and all of that family have been nice horses. He’s only been cantering at home but he certainly looks a good horse. All the signs are positive so far.
Champ Du Charmil – He came from the point-to-points and is a nice horse who’ll go for a bumper in the coming weeks. He’s just about ready to start off.
Flooring Brandy – He is a full brother to Flooring Porter. He looks a nice horse, but he’s going to take a bit of time to come to.
Hamavi – He came over from France and is rated in the high 90s on the Flat. He’s been schooling well and is a nice horse.
Glorious Day – He’s a three-year-old who came from France. He didn’t win a top-level race in France but he’s a nice horse to look forward to.
Got The Honours – He is a five-year-old point-to-point winner. He’ll go for a bumper in the coming weeks and he looks a nice horse.
Le Citadin – He’s a three-year-old Flat winner from France who we bought over the summer. He’s set to go hurdling and is a good prospect.
The Old Head – He’s a point-to-point winner who came second in a bumper last year. He’ll go hurdling now but he’s a real staying chaser in the making.
