You’ve already got the big names sorted—but in National Hunt racing, it’s often the outsiders who make the stories we remember. That’s why guides about the key horses to follow in the National Hunt 2025/2026 season aren’t complete without looking at the outsiders who can turn the jumps season upside down. An “outsider” isn’t just a horse at monster odds; it’s the type that slips under the radar, rarely tipped, and then suddenly turns up at Cheltenham or Aintree to ruin every multiple in sight.
Racing has a long love affair with these shocks. Noble Yeats landed the Grand National in 2022 at 50/1, Silver Birch did the same in 2007 at 33/1, and most recently Poniros produced a jaw-dropping 100/1 win in the Triumph Hurdle. If you want the full picture, check out my horses to follow 2025/26 guide for the favourites before diving into this list of outsiders.
That’s why keeping an eye on the “second row” is worth the effort. Here are ten outsiders with real potential to turn heads during the 2025/26 Jumps Season.
This guide is pretty detailed, so to make things easier we’ve added a quick table of contents. Click on any section to jump straight to the horse or topic you’re most interested in.
Why outsiders matter in the jumps season
In jump racing, favourites grab the headlines, but outsiders often steal the show. These are the horses that bookmakers underrate and punters overlook—until they pop up at Cheltenham or Aintree and blow the form book apart. Following them isn’t about chasing miracles; it’s about spotting value, patience, and those moments when a so-called long shot turns into the story of the season.
10 Outsiders to follow for the National Hunt 2025/2026 Season
Each of these names has earned a place among the horses to follow 2025/26, not because they’re favourites, but because they’ve already shown they can upset the form book when it matters.
1. Poniros – 100/1 Triumph shock
Poniros is living proof that racing still has room for fairy tales. In March, he lined up for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham on his hurdling debut. The odds? A ridiculous 100/1. The result? One of the most jaw-dropping Festival shocks in living memory, making him the longest-priced winner in modern Festival history.
That victory wasn’t a fluke. He showed grit, balance, and the kind of raw engine you can’t teach. According to the Racing Post, Poniros became the longest-priced Festival winner in modern history.
Most horses would’ve folded under pressure, but Poniros just kept finding more up the hill. The big question now is whether he can back it up as a second-season hurdler. Juveniles sometimes wobble when they graduate to open company, but the talent is clearly there.
If connections place him wisely, especially over two miles on good-to-soft ground, he could pop up again at a big price. Ignore him at your peril—lightning might just strike twice.
Update (Cheltenham 2025): Poniros won the Triumph Hurdle at SP 100/1, finishing ahead of Lulamba (2nd) and East India Dock (3rd).
2. Il Etait Temps – Celebration Chase stunner
If Poniros was the shock of Cheltenham, Il Etait Temps was the mic-drop moment of Sandown. After nearly a year off the track, he returned in the Grade 1 Celebration Chase and floored Jonbon with a performance nobody saw coming. It wasn’t just the win—it was the way he travelled, jumped, and then quickened clear, leaving the odds-on favourite looking flat-footed.
That run reminded everyone that he’s got serious gears when fresh. Willie Mullins has always rated him, but he’s not the kind that churns out ten runs a year. Instead, he’s the type you keep for big days, the horse who can light up a spring Saturday when conditions are right.
For punters, that makes him a tricky one to catch—but also the sort who goes off bigger than he should in Grade 1s. If he stays sound, don’t be surprised if he’s still throwing punches come March. He’s got Champion Chase spoiler written all over him.
3. Only By Night – mare to watch in novice chases
Every so often, a mare sneaks into the frame of a Grade 1 and makes punters sit up. Only by Night did exactly that at Cheltenham, splitting Jango Baie and Majborough in a frantic Arkle finish. On paper, she wasn’t meant to be there—priced bigger, carrying less hype, and facing the big guns. But she travelled sweetly, jumped like a pro, and still had enough in the tank to make two festival stars fight for the line.
That sort of performance is gold dust. She’s not flashy, but she’s reliable, and her profile suggests there’s plenty of improvement left once she gains more experience over fences. As a mare, she often gets a handy weight allowance in mixed races, which could prove decisive when margins are tight.
Keep her in mind for two-mile chases on speed tracks where rhythm matters. She’s not a household name yet, but with another big run, she’ll stop being an “outsider” pretty quickly.
Update (Cheltenham 2025): In the 2025 Arkle Challenge Trophy, Only By Night finished a close 2nd to Jango Baie, narrowly holding off Majborough.
4. Air Of Entitlement – Cheltenham Mares’ winner
Cheltenham has a habit of throwing up stories that feel written for the big screen, and Air of Entitlement delivered one of them in March. Sent off at 16/1 in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, she wasn’t even the headline act in her own yard. But when the tapes went up, she showed composure, neat hurdling, and a finishing kick that carried her past the field and into Festival glory. With Rachael Blackmore doing the steering, it was one of those moments where punters realised the market had seriously underestimated her.
The win wasn’t just about sentiment—it was a proper piece of form. Beating a competitive mares’ field at Cheltenham takes class, grit, and the ability to handle pressure. That suggests there’s more to come once she matures and gets another season under her belt.
She looks a natural at 2m–2m4f, especially on ground that isn’t bottomless. With her scope for improvement and the mares’ programme to aim at, she could easily add another big prize to her CV this year. For a deeper dive on how going changes results, see my importance of ground in jumps racing guide.
Update (Cheltenham 2025): She indeed delivered, winning the 2025 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at SP 16/1 under Rachael Blackmore in a tight finish.
5. Resplendent Grey – stayer with momentum
If you want a stayer who looks like he’s improving with every run, Resplendent Grey ticks that box. He showed it in no uncertain terms at Sandown, grinding out victory in the bet365 Gold Cup. It wasn’t a flashy win—no early fireworks, no cruising five lengths clear—but the kind of strong, late run that makes you think he’ll relish even stiffer tests.
The bet365 Gold Cup is no small feat; it’s one of the season’s toughest staying handicaps, a proper examination of stamina and grit. To come out on top there suggests he’s not just a one-hit wonder but a horse with the engine to keep climbing the staying ranks.
He thrives when the pace is honest and the trip stretches beyond three miles. On softer ground, that stamina edge becomes even more valuable. Don’t expect him to be favourite in every race, but if the conditions line up, he could be one of those names that keep turning up in the frame—and sometimes in front—at rewarding prices.
6. Doddiethegreat – Pertemps Final surprise
The Pertemps Final is a race made for dreamers: big fields, rough runs, and the odd fairytale result. In 2025, Doddiethegreat delivered just that, storming up the Cheltenham hill at 25/1 to land one of the Festival’s most competitive handicaps. For a nine-year-old with a patchy record, it felt like the stars had finally aligned. Named in honour of rugby legend Doddie Weir, he carried the sentiment of the crowd but backed it up with guts and stamina.
What made the performance special was the way he travelled—relaxed early, switched off in midfield, and then came alive when it mattered. That’s a recipe for repeat success in staying handicaps, where rhythm and timing are everything.
Yes, he’s older than most “horses to follow,” but don’t write him off. Seasoned handicappers often pay their way for a couple more years once they find their groove. If he’s campaigned smartly around 3m on good-to-soft, he could still have a big prize or two in him.
Update (Cheltenham 2025): He won the 2025 Pertemps Final at SP 25/1, confirming that his surprise wasn’t a fluke.
7. The Big Westerner – stamina-rich novice
If the Albert Bartlett has taught us anything, it’s that only proper stayers survive its brutal test. The Big Westerner came out of that furnace with plenty of credit, chasing home Jasmin De Vaux to finish runner-up. It wasn’t the win, but it was the kind of performance that screams “future staying chaser.” Big, scopey, and with an engine that doesn’t seem to empty, he looks tailor-made for the long-game in jumps racing.
The plan now seems obvious: fences. Horses with his profile often come into their own once they get a bigger obstacle in front of them, and you’d imagine connections will map out a novice chasing campaign around 2m6f–3m. He doesn’t need to be flashy; grinding out results is exactly what wins the top staying prizes in winter ground.
If you’re looking for a horse who might not make headlines in October but could pop up in the spring as a hardened three-miler, The Big Westerner deserves a spot in your notebook.
8. L’Eau Du Sud – 2m chasing talent
Some horses have a knack for putting themselves in the right place at the right time, and L’Eau Du Sud showed exactly that last season. He bagged the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase in style, travelling smoothly and jumping with the sort of precision that makes you think bigger days are ahead. Then, at Cheltenham, he went toe-to-toe with the Arkle field, leading at the last before being swallowed up late. For a horse still learning his trade, that was no disgrace at all.
What makes him appealing is the mix of speed and bravery. Over two miles on a sound surface, he can travel like a dream, and his front-running style often puts pressure on more hyped rivals. That alone makes him dangerous in Grade 1 company, especially if he slips off at a price.
He may not have the big reputation of his Arkle conquerors, but the raw ability is there. A smoother round, a bit more polish, and he could easily turn the tables this season.
9. Hello Neighbour – graded juvenile hurdler
Every jumps season throws up a juvenile who looks sharper, calmer, and more professional than the rest. Last term, that horse was Hello Neighbour. He announced himself at the Dublin Racing Festival with a slick Grade 1 victory, showing speed at the start and composure when it mattered. For such a young hurdler, he ran like an old pro: neat at his obstacles, relaxed through the middle stages, and strong enough to fend off late challenges.
That kind of early maturity is a big plus in juvenile company, where plenty of rivals are still green or inconsistent. The real test, of course, comes now—moving from the four-year-old ranks into the rougher waters of open company. Not every juvenile makes the leap, but his form suggests he’s got the class to handle it.
If he’s campaigned cleverly, with targets around two miles on good-to-soft, he could stay competitive at graded level. He’s the type that might go under the radar in markets—but don’t be surprised if he shows up in the spring.
10. East India Dock – dual-purpose dynamo
It takes something special to mix it with the best hurdlers at Cheltenham and then turn around and win one of the biggest staying handicaps on the Flat. East India Dock managed exactly that. He was sent off favourite for the Triumph Hurdle, and while he had to settle for third, he still showed plenty of class in defeat. Fast forward a few weeks and he turned the tables in spectacular fashion, landing the Chester Cup—a marathon test on the Flat that demands stamina, patience, and no shortage of courage.
That combination of skills—speed for two miles over hurdles and stamina for long-distance Flat races—makes him a rare talent. It also gives connections plenty of options: back to hurdles for a novice or graded campaign, or kept on the Flat where staying prizes beckon.
Whatever the route, he’s already proven he’s more than a one-trick pony. Horses with that kind of versatility often improve quicker than the market expects. Keep him in your notebook—he could pop up in more than one code this year.
Update (Cheltenham 2025): In that same Triumph Hurdle win by Poniros, East India Dock ran 3rd at SP 5/4f.
Update (September 2025): East India Dock made his seasonal jumps debut on September 25th at Newmarket, finishing second behind Miss Alpilles (20/1). Sent off 5/2 with an official rating of 97, he travelled strongly throughout and confirmed that he retains both his Flat sharpness and hurdling fluency. That run should put him spot on for his next assignment, wherever connections choose to go next.
Reader poll – which outsider will shine in 2025/26?
We’ve listed ten outsiders who could shake up the new jumps season—but now it’s over to you. Cast your vote for the outsider you believe will make the biggest impact in 2025/26. And if your dark horse isn’t here, just use the ‘Other’ option.
Conclusion and betting takeaways
Don’t just follow the headlines—because that’s how you end up backing the same odds-on favourites as everyone else. The fun, and often the profit, comes from keeping an eye on the horses that the market hasn’t fully figured out yet. Outsiders aren’t accidents waiting to happen; they’re often late bloomers, specialists in certain conditions, or horses who just haven’t had the chance to show their true colours.
The ten names in this list all fit that bill. Some already shocked us once—like Poniros at 100/1 or Doddiethegreat in the Pertemps Final. Others have hinted at bigger things to come, such as Only by Night or The Big Westerner. The point is, none of them should be dismissed just because they’re not topping the ante-post markets.
How do you use this list? Simple:
- Watch the ground—outsiders often cash in when conditions tilt in their favour. Yo creo que te confundes de artículo
- Pay attention to entries and targets—connections will usually drop hints about the races they’re aiming at.
- Don’t chase every run. Outsiders by definition don’t win every week. Pick your moments.
If even one of these names lands for you this season, you’ll see why it pays to dig a little deeper than the obvious stars. That’s the joy of jump racing: mud, chaos, and the sweet satisfaction of being right when nobody else saw it coming during the National Hunt 2025/2026 season.
In fact, a few of these names could easily rank among the most interesting horses to follow 2025/26, especially when talking about Cheltenham Festival outsiders 2025/26 that punters often overlook.
If you enjoyed this list and want more punting insights, I keep adding fresh takes in my Betting Notes section—short reads about the wins, losses, and lessons that shape my approach to jumps racing.
| Horse | Angle / Strength |
|---|
| Poniros | 100/1 debut winner; shock power |
| Il Etait Temps | Grade 1 return-from-injury Celebration win |
| Only by Night | Arkle-placed mare; upside not yet tapped |
| Air of Entitlement | Cheltenham G1 winner at long odds |
| Resplendent Grey | Sandown Gold Cup stayer; in fine form |
| Doddiethegreat | Pertemps Final hero; pure staying grit |
| The Big Westerner | Albert Bartlett runner-up; staying novice |
| L’Eau Du Sud | Kingmaker champ; bright chasing prospect |
| Hello Neighbour | G1 juvenile; speed and class in abundance |
| East India Dock | Dual code form; proven stamina |
FAQs about horses to follow 2025/26
1. Why include these horses instead of the obvious ones?
Because racing is rarely a straight line. The favourites are favourites for a reason, but history shows outsiders can and do break through. These horses have already proven themselves in big moments or hinted at untapped potential. Ignoring them just because they’re not headline names is a mistake punters make every year.
2. Are these performances reliable indicators for the National Hunt 2025/2026 season?
Yes—every horse on this list has either won or placed in a major race last season, often at festivals like Cheltenham or big spring meetings. That means we’re not dealing with hype or hearsay but actual racecourse evidence. Of course, form can dip, but the signals are strong.
3. How should I follow these horses early in the season?
Start with the entries. Watch where trainers are sending them in October and November—it usually reveals how ambitious the campaign will be. Ground is crucial too: a horse that thrives on soft might need patience until the winter months, while others could be primed for a fast-ground spin in October.
4. Can this list change mid-season?
Absolutely. Outsiders are fluid by nature. One or two might flop or miss half the season, while new names emerge out of nowhere in handicaps or novice races. Think of this list as a starting point, not a locked-in bible. Updating your notebook is part of the fun.
5. Do outsiders really win at the Cheltenham Festival?
Yes—and more often than people think. Poniros at 100/1 in the Triumph is the most recent example, but the Festival has a long history of big-priced shocks. It’s why punters love it: you don’t need to be on the favourite to have a story worth telling.
6. What types of races suit outsiders best?
Handicaps are the classic hunting ground because weight, ground, and race shape can flip the script. But Grade 1 races aren’t immune either—especially when a strong favourite underperforms. Look for horses with proven stamina or tactical flexibility; they’re the ones most likely to punch above their price.
7. Is it worth backing all ten?
No—you’ll go broke. The smart play is to follow their campaigns, pick spots that fit their strengths, and maybe have an early ante-post nibble where the price looks wrong. Outsiders are about timing, not volume.
Horses to follow for the 2025/26 Jumps Season –
[…] So pull on the wellies, keep an eye on the going, and enjoy tracking these horses to follow for the 2025/26 Jumps season. If this list helps you dodge a bad bet or land a cheeky each-way, job done. Now let’s get the tapes up.And if you’re curious about the less obvious names who could still light up the season, don’t miss my outsiders to follow guide for 2025/26. […]