If you’re looking for the Ben Pauling horses to follow in 2025/26, you’re in the right place. His Naunton Downs team delivered 66 winners and more than £1 million in prize money last season, including Grade 1 novice chase victories from Handstands and The Jukebox Man — two names now stepping into open company with big expectations.
Before diving into this yard-specific breakdown, you can also explore our main Horses to Follow 2025/26 guide, where we cover the standout runners from other top trainers like Willie Mullins, Dan Skelton and Nicky Henderson.
This guide to Ben Pauling’s top 10 horses to follow gives you clear insights on each runner — what distances suit, which tracks to watch, and how to spot value before the market moves. Whether you’re a regular punter or just enjoy the National Hunt season, keep it simple, keep it smart, and let’s try to beat the market before the market beats you.
Why follow Ben Pauling’s horses this 2025/26 season
The reason you should keep an eye on Ben Pauling’s horses to follow in 2025/26 is simple: this is a yard built for steady progress, not quick flashes. Pauling has developed his own stock, added clever recruits from the point-to-point scene, and now runs one of the most balanced National Hunt strings in Britain. Last season’s Grade 1 wins with Handstands and The Jukebox Man proved the plan is working — young chasers coming through the system and improving year after year.
Add to that a strong team of novices, mares like Diva Luna, and reliable handicappers who deliver through the winter, and you’ve got a trainer whose horses are worth following all the way from October to the spring festivals.
To plan your bets and track when the yard’s main runners are likely to appear, bookmark our National Hunt 2025/26 calendar, which lists every key fixture, from the early-season cards at Chepstow to the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals.
The shortlist: 10 Ben Pauling horses to follow in 2025/26
Here’s your complete list of Ben Pauling horses to follow for the 2025/26 National Hunt season. Each one comes with a short profile, preferred trip and track type, expected campaign targets, and a betting insight on when — or when not — to get involved. Whether you’re building your tracker or planning weekend multiples, these are the names worth keeping close.
For official form records and up-to-date stats, you can always check Ben Pauling’s Racing Post trainer page, where every entry, RPR, and OR update is listed in real time.
1) Handstands — Ben Pauling’s Grade 1 chaser to follow in 2025/26
Profile. One of the standout Ben Pauling horses to follow for 2025/26, Handstands is already a proven Grade 1 winner with the engine and temperament to go deep at three miles. He landed the Scilly Isles (G1) at Sandown and the re-routed Towton before that, showing a blend of cruising speed and resilience that marks him as a serious staying chaser.
2025/26 outlook. Connections have hinted at an early run in the Colin Parker before possible tilts at the Betfair Chase, Coral Gold Cup, or Peterborough depending on autumn conditions. He’s not an obvious King George type, but something like the Cotswold Chase mid-winter could be right in his wheelhouse.
How to play. A “don’t overcomplicate it” kind of horse — softish ground, solid gallop, and tactical rhythm bring out his best. Even at short odds, he’s the sort to anchor your multiples when the setup suits.
2) The Jukebox Man — Ben Pauling’s top staying chaser to follow in 2025/26
Profile. Among the standout Ben Pauling horses to follow in 2025/26, The Jukebox Man already owns a Grade 1 win — the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton last Christmas — and looks tailor-made for big staying chases ahead. After a spring setback kept him off the track, he’s now back in training and reportedly thriving.
2025/26 outlook. Expect an early campaign over 2m6f–3m, building toward deeper winter targets once his jumping rhythm and race fitness return. His strong, relentless gallop makes him a natural for testing tracks like Newbury or Cheltenham, and the yard’s confidence in him hasn’t dimmed one bit.
How to play. First time out, keep expectations realistic after the break — but don’t be shocked if the market shortens quickly once he’s declared. He’s a solid ante-post option for staying contests later in the season and could develop into one of Ben Pauling’s flagbearers by spring.
3) Diva Luna — Ben Pauling’s classy mare to follow over fences in 2025/26
Profile. One of the standout mares in Ben Pauling’s horses to follow for 2025/26, Diva Luna already owns a Grade 2 win — the Nickel Coin Mares’ Bumper at Aintree (2024). The team has always believed she’s top-class, and this season marks her move to fences, where the plan is a campaign built around mares’ novice chases and black-type races that reward clean jumping and tactical pace.
2025/26 outlook. She’s expected to start at Bangor in November before stepping up through the mares’ ranks. Schooling reports suggest she fences fluently, and her current mark leaves plenty of room for improvement once experience kicks in. A Listed or Grade 2 mares’ chase by spring looks entirely realistic.
How to play. Follow her entries, especially in small-field mares’ races that lack depth. These setups often produce short-priced winners — and Diva Luna could be one of them. She’s a “win-only” type when conditions and opposition align.
4) Henry’s Friend — Ben Pauling’s National-type chaser to follow in 2025/26
Profile. A proven staying handicap chaser and one of Ben Pauling’s horses to follow for 2025/26, Henry’s Friend has all the traits punters love: stamina, consistency, and a no-nonsense attitude when the race turns into a slog. He’s been a reliable yardstick in big handicaps and continues to look every inch a future National-type horse.
2025/26 outlook. The team has mentioned possible targets like the Becher Chase at Aintree or another crack at Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup, where he ran bravely last term despite trouble mid-race. He’s up in the weights after winning the Mandarin Chase, but his solid jumping and genuine staying power make him the sort who earns his keep every season.
How to play. Think each-way in deep staying handicaps where stamina counts and the yard form is solid. He’s not flashy, but when conditions turn testing and others fade, Henry’s Friend keeps finding — a grinder you want onside when the markets underestimate him.
5) Bad — Ben Pauling’s talented handicap chaser to follow fresh in 2025/26
Profile. Among the more intriguing Ben Pauling horses to follow for 2025/26, Bad is a sharp, clever handicap chaser who tends to deliver his best form when fresh. He picked up two wins last season and shaped like a horse capable of better when everything clicks — especially with minor headgear tweaks. There’s even quiet talk of a Paddy Power Gold Cup tilt if his official mark allows and the ground stays good.
2025/26 outlook. Expect early-season assignments on decent ground, where his slick jumping and pace can expose slower rivals. He fits the profile for Cheltenham or Newbury handicaps at around 2m4f, particularly when the yard is in rhythm.
Season update (Oct 27, 2025). Bad made his seasonal reappearance on October 19 at Kempton, winning a Class 3 chase over 2m2f under Ben Jones. Sent off at 6/4 off a mark of 138, he justified favouritism in style — travelling strongly, jumping accurately, and asserting comfortably to earn an RPR of 145. It was an authoritative performance that confirmed his wellbeing and hinted at bigger targets ahead once he steps into deeper company.
How to play. A classic “catch him early” type. His record fresh is strong, so the first or second run of the campaign is where your value lies. If you see his name among the Cheltenham November Meeting entries, make sure he’s in your multiples.
6) Champagne Twist — Ben Pauling’s novice chaser on the comeback trail in 2025/26
Profile. Once tipped as a future star, Champagne Twist had a nightmare 2024 campaign — a fall, two bleeding episodes, and a brief lameness issue that halted his momentum. But he’s back on track now and stands out among Ben Pauling’s horses to follow for 2025/26. Schooling has reportedly gone well, and the plan is to target novice handicap chases, where his natural class can shine if confidence returns.
2025/26 outlook. Think of him as a reset project with upside. The first run back will tell a lot — if he jumps cleanly and finds rhythm, expect the market to react fast. A midwinter win in a Saturday handicap chase could easily be on the cards once he regains belief.
How to play. Early small-stake win bets make sense here. Watch how he travels and jumps on seasonal debut: if the spark is back, you’ll want him onside before the odds shorten. There’s still a proper horse underneath the setbacks.
7) Betty’s Daisy — Ben Pauling’s progressive mare to follow in 2025/26
Profile. One of the more quietly promising mares in Ben Pauling’s horses to follow for 2025/26, Betty’s Daisy took a clear step forward at Warwick last term before finding the Grade 2 test at Aintree a bit too soon. The latest schooling reports suggest her jumping has sharpened up considerably, and she’s the type who can climb the ladder with patient placing and good ground.
2025/26 outlook. Expect the team to campaign her selectively — no bold Festival talk yet, but Listed or lower black-type mares’ races could easily come into play if she builds momentum early. She’s got scope to progress, especially when stamina and rhythm come into play.
How to play. She’s a grinder by nature, so avoid small-field tactical affairs. Look for honest gallops and races that test staying power — those are the setups where Betty’s Daisy can quietly surprise at fair odds.
8) De Kingpin — Ben Pauling’s novice chaser to watch closely in 2025/26
Profile. Quietly tipped as one of Ben Pauling’s horses to follow for 2025/26, De Kingpin might not scream “Festival horse” yet, but he’s shaping like a progressive novice handicap chaser who could climb the ranks fast. He’s a clean jumper with a workable mark and the right temperament — the kind that wins quietly in midwinter before the market catches up.
2025/26 outlook. Expect early clues through November and December, when the yard starts bringing its novice chasers along. If he handles his first couple of outings well, deep handicaps at Sandown or Newbury could appear on the radar later in the season.
How to play. Keep an eye on his rating. If the handicapper is slow to react, jump in before the hike. In small to mid-sized fields lacking confirmed closers, he’s a smart win-only option while his profile stays under the radar.
9) Shakem Up’Arry — Ben Pauling’s Festival-winning veteran to follow in 2025/26
Profile. Few yards manage their seasoned horses better than Ben Pauling, and Shakem Up’Arry is proof. A Cheltenham Festival winner in 2024 for owner Harry Redknapp, he remains one of the yard’s most dependable veteran chasers — bold at his fences, game under pressure, and still capable of landing valuable handicaps when conditions click.
2025/26 outlook. Expect a light but targeted campaign, focusing on handicap chases that play to his smooth-travelling style and bold jumping. The plan is to keep him fresh for specific races rather than a long winter slog. With the right pace setup and a bit of cut in the ground, another big Saturday win is absolutely realistic.
How to play. Trust Ben Pauling’s placement — he knows exactly when to pull the trigger with this horse. Because he’s often well found in the market, look at place markets or “without-the-favourite” bets when a hotpot dominates the field. He’s the definition of a reliable, clever inclusion in your season-long tracker.
10) Bowtogreatness — Ben Pauling’s staying chaser with unfinished business in 2025/26
Profile. Few horses divide opinion like Bowtogreatness, one of the more intriguing Ben Pauling horses to follow for 2025/26. The talent has always been obvious — scopey, athletic, and capable of travelling strongly through his races — but keeping it all stitched together has been the challenge. The engine is there for serious staying chases; the question is timing and rhythm.
2025/26 outlook. Expect the yard to pick their spots carefully, likely targeting Newbury, Doncaster or similar galloping tracks that let him roll. If he gets into a flow early in the campaign, he could easily line up for one of the spring staying handicaps with genuine claims. He’s a project horse, but one with a ceiling well above his current mark if everything clicks.
How to play. Take the patient route. He’s best win-only when conditions and trip align — soft ground and a proper pace are key. Avoid getting lured into the wrong setups; Bowtogreatness is the kind that rewards faith when others have given up.
Dark horses and unexposed types from Ben Pauling’s yard to monitor in 2025/26
You came here for ten, but Ben Pauling’s horses to follow for 2025/26 go deeper than that — and these two could easily sneak into your notebooks before Christmas. Think of this as your early heads-up list for the ones who might fly under the radar.
Fiercely Proud — speed for two miles, power for fences
A sharp, athletic novice chaser type who’s expected to go over fences soon. The Ben Pauling yard rates him best when fresh, so early-season targets over intermediate trips (around 2m–2m4f) are the ones to watch. If he clicks on debut, his mark could look generous by midwinter.
Hornica — quick, talented filly if she relaxes
Things didn’t go her way last season, but she showed real promise when held up at Cheltenham in the spring. A talented mare with plenty of pace — if she settles better this term, she could develop into one of Pauling’s hidden gems in the mares’ novice hurdle division.
How to bet (or not) on Ben Pauling’s horses to follow in 2025/26
When you’re backing Ben Pauling’s horses to follow for 2025/26, don’t just rely on form figures — read the rhythm of the yard. This section isn’t about picking winners blindly; it’s about understanding when to get involved and when to wait.
Read the yard rhythm, not just the form line
Pauling was open last season about a minor bug and gallop issues that affected a few runners through late winter. That context explains sudden dips in form and sharp recoveries — details that matter when analysing trends. The yard finished strongly, suggesting the health base is solid again this year.
Be patient with the comebacks
Horses like The Jukebox Man or Champagne Twist are built for longevity, not fireworks in October. Early prices might look generous after a layoff — but patience usually pays when Pauling’s horses need a clean, confidence-building round first.
Mares’ programme = placement edges
Between Diva Luna and Betty’s Daisy, expect selective campaigns with small fields and black-type opportunities. These races often get overlooked in early markets — which is where you, the clever punter, can strike first.
Key data points on Ben Pauling’s horses to follow for 2025/26
Here’s a quick summary of the main takeaways from this guide to Ben Pauling’s horses to follow for 2025/26 — a simple cheat sheet to keep handy when you’re checking entries or planning your next bet:
- Top flags in open company: Handstands; The Jukebox Man.
- Mares with upside: Diva Luna (switching to fences), Betty’s Daisy (hurdles/mares’ programme).
- Handicap anchors: Henry’s Friend (staying chases), Bad (early-season handicaps).
- Veteran still dangerous: Shakem Up’Arry.
- Staying project: Bowtogreatness — keep faith when he finds rhythm.
Final thought: how to use this Ben Pauling horses to follow 2025/26 guide
Treat this as your living shortlist for the 2025/26 jumps season — your personal tracker for the best of Ben Pauling’s horses to follow. Horses like Handstands won’t stay under the radar, and that’s fine; the real edge lies in timing. Knowing when to take a short price because conditions are spot-on, and when to wait because the setup’s wrong, is what separates punters from followers.
Meanwhile, horses like Diva Luna or De Kingpin could be the value angles early on, before the market wakes up. So bookmark this guide, set alerts on your trackers, and revisit it after each run to stay ahead of the curve.
If you want to keep discovering more jump horses from other top trainers, head to our Horses to Follow section — it’s where you’ll find detailed guides for Willie Mullins, Nicky Henderson, Dan Skelton, Paul Nicholls and more.
The Ben Pauling yard isn’t just full of talent — it’s remarkably transparent, with progressive types, clever placement, and realistic targets that punters can read and trust. If you like betting smart, not lucky, this Ben Pauling horses to follow 2025/26 guide should be your north star through the season.
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