Mini Guide
Welcome by
JODIE STANDING
THANK YOU for purchasing this year’s edition of Point-to-Point Recruits; it’s mind-blowing to me that the book is now in its eighth year. What began as a small segment in Marten Julian’s Dark Horses annuals and has grown into a fully fledged publication with several dedicated sections is entirely down to the support I’ve received from you, the buying public, and from the publishers – firstly Marten Julian, and now Weatherbys, who took the book on last year. Whether you’re discovering this guide for the first time or have followed the journey from the beginning, I hope it proves a useful source of reference throughout the season and beyond. I have always maintained that Point-to-Point Recruits is not just a guide for the present; it’s a book that can be revisited over the years. The Look Back section has become a popular feature, offering a brief appraisal of the recruits from 12 months ago and outlining the expectations I have for them going into the new season, whether that be as novice hurdlers, chasers or handicappers. As with previous editions, I have analysed 100 Point-to-Point recruits, 20 of whom I have selected as having ‘Star Potential’. These 20 horses have their own standalone section, rather than being scattered among the 100, making them easier to find. Star Potential doesn’t necessarily mean I believe
they are destined to become Graded performers, but I do believe they will do especially well for their new connections, whatever level that may be. Like last year, there is also a British Pointers section, highlighting 12 recruits that caught my eye on these shores. This year’s crop looked a strong bunch and will hopefully prove worthwhile to follow. The Ex-Pointers To Follow section also returns after a successful inclusion last year. It features 20 horses who, despite already showing potential under Rules, remain relatively unexposed and are expected to be worth following this season. I try not to include horses who have already been tested at a high level; instead, I focus on those who still have room for improvement. The Sire Spotlight, introduced 12 months ago, highlighted Crystal Ocean and Poet’s Word – both of whom continue to go from strength to strength as stallions. This year’s duo, one more established than the other, will hopefully prove an informative read A huge thanks goes to Paul Ferguson for writing the Foreword amidst his busy schedule with Jumpers To Follow. His unassuming nature and willingness to help make a real difference, and sometimes it’s the brief conversations about horses that prove most motivating. Without his assistance, this book wouldn’t be where it is today. I must also extend my thanks to Leonard Peacock for his graphic design work and for pulling together this publication. His painstaking attention to detail makes my task a lot easier. Finally, thank you once again, and I hope you have a successful, enjoyable, and hopefully profitable National Hunt season.
Jodie
Best wishes,
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Point-to-Point Recruits 2026-2027
Foreword by
PAUL FERGUSON NOW in its eighth year, Point-to-Point Recruits goes to the leading stables who are covered, as our from strength-to-strength, and for the second expressive author endeavours to find horses who successive year, both the team in Weatherbys’ HQ can prove successful at a lower level, often this is and I are delighted to be working alongside Jodie where readers can eke out a bit of value. in producing the publication. From the Look Back – a review of last year’s A keen eye for young equine talent, Jodie artic- featured horses – to the Ex-Pointers To Follow ulates in great detail the horses who she is most section, where there are a few horses crossing over looking forward to, who hail from the Pointing between this and my own publication, Jumpers sphere. Success stories from last year’s open- To Follow, there is plenty for you to get stuck into. ing Star Potential section included Harry Lowes Having been fortunate enough to have read a and Hold The Serve, who won five times between lot of the book already, I am sure that you will enjoy them over hurdles and both remain of consider- what you are about to read, and I am equally confiable potential. The fact that the book can be used dent that Jodie, who now has a proven track record for more than just the ‘here and now’ is an added including nominating a couple of future Champion bonus, with many horses unlikely to peak until they Bumper winners, will once again unearth a batch are sent chasing further down the line. of future Rules winners. Rathkenny also won twice for that section, landPersonally, the Ben Pauling-trained Mourne ing somewhat of a gamble when winning a maiden Crystal is one ex-Pointer who I am particularly hurdle at Doncaster, whilst their achievements were excited about seeing on track in the coming weeks surpassed by Le Frimeur (pictured below), who won and months. A four-year-old by Crystal Ocean, all three starts for Harry Derham and owners Simon who was covered alongside former stable-mate Munir & Isaac Souede, latterly returning at 18-1 in and 2018 King George conqueror Poet’s Word Grade 1 company at Punchestown. in last year’s Sire Spotlight section, was hugely Further such success can be expected from this impressive at Portrush in March and looks to have latest edition, with Jodie having searched high and a big future. low to find the next batch of future stars. However, it Enjoy the season and be lucky, isn’t just the sale topping horses who are heading Paul.
Point-to-Point Recruits 2026-2027
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JUMPERS
TO FOLLOW
2026-2027
PAUL FERGUSON’S
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Mourne Crystal
Star Potential RECRUITS
DOWN JONES ROAD
Crystal Ocean – Stephanie Frances (King’s Theatre) 4YO B G | TRAINER NICKY HENDERSON | FORM 1- | TRIP 2M | GOING GOOD TO SOFT
KEY CHARACTERISTICS BEAUTIFULLY BRED
IMPRESSIVE WINNER
BAGS OF SCOPE
TOP CONNECTIONS
THE DONNELLYS have been lucky and unlucky, possibly in equal measure, with their horses under the guidance of Nicky Henderson – enjoying tremendous highs but also the lowest of lows with both Shishkin and Sir Gino. With Down Jones Road, they will be hoping they have another emerging star to take to town. The son of Crystal Ocean made his debut for Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill at Tattersalls in April where, despite a few novicey leaps, he returned an impressive eight-length winner over The Supersonic Kid. Happy to take a lead throughout, he warmed to the occasion and a fast leap over the second last helped him build momentum, which he used to quickly open up a healthy advantage. Not for stopping rounding the bend for home, he soon had matters in control and cleared the last with room to spare before crossing the line in a time three seconds quicker than standard. A half-brother to the 2m1f hurdle winner No Time To Wait and out of the useful race mare Stephanie Frances – who won eight of her 20 starts around 2m, including at Listed level over both fences and hurdles – Down Jones Road has a smart pedigree to match his performance. Sold privately, he looks to have everything required to develop into an above-average performer, but the most telling attribute from his Point is the sheer scope he possesses, clearing his fences with yards to spare. He also has natural pace and is bred to be sharp. He could well make his debut in one of those Newbury maidens that Nicky Henderson so often likes to farm.
Down Jones Road could be another emerging talent for the Donnellys
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Point-to-Point Recruits 2026-2027
County Prospect
Point-to-Point RECRUITS
MONJEU DE CHAILLAC
Jeu St Eloi – Beyonce du Lys (Nickname)
4YO B G | TRAINER OLLY MURPHY | FORM 1- | TRIP 2M + | GOING SOFT
KEY CHARACTERISTICS QUICKENED SMARTLY
GOOD JUMPER
POSSESSES GEARS
WON NEATLY
THERE are a number of Jet Bloodstock graduates featured throughout this publication, and here we have another promising type who carried their colours to victory at the first attempt at Castletown-Geoghegan in April for Stuart Crawford. The athletic son of Jeu St Eloi caught the eye even while being kept on a tight rein at the rear for much of the race, jumping with room to spare and looking to find the whole exercise rather straightforward. As the tempo lifted after the fifth from home, he began to pick off his rivals and soon moved into a challenging position approaching the third last. Tracking the leaders over the next before quickening neatly into the wings of the last, he landed with momentum that carried him straight into the lead and allowed him to win pulling away by two and a half lengths in a time five seconds quicker than standard. Purchased by Aidan and Olly Murphy for €220,000, he is a half-brother to Syd Hosie’s two-time Taunton hurdle winner Kahfre (2m3f), while his dam was placed in an AQPS Flat race in France and is a half-sister to the useful 2m hurdle winner Chambord du Lys. Monjeu de Chaillac possesses a potent turn of foot that will serve him well not only in bumpers but also in the two-mile novice hurdle division. He has the potential to be an above-average type, with an action that should lend itself to varying ground conditions.
Monjeu de Chaillac possesses a sharp turn of foot
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Point-to-Point Recruits 2026-2027
British POINTERS
Titi Montmartre
TITI MONTMARTRE Montmartre – Unanime (Epalo)
4YO CH G | TRAINER PHILIP HOBBS & JOHNSON WHITE | FORM 1- | TRIP 2M 4F + | GOING SOFT
KEY CHARACTERISTICS IMPOSING SORT
TRAVELLED KINDLY
STILL BABYISH
ASSERTED TO WIN WITH PLENTY IN HAND
CHRIS BARBER had several promising young horses under his care last season and this imposing grey-looking (officially described as chestnut) gelding shaped like a diamond in the rough when making a winning debut over 2m4f at Alnwick under Ed Doggrell in February. The four-year-old was held up in mid-field for much of the race and, although a little cumbersome over a few of his fences, he never looked in danger of coming down and held his position well on the level. Taking closer order on the final circuit, he edged into a share of the lead at the top of the steep climb for home and pricked his ears approaching the third last. Again he was a shade deliberate, but he still moved easily on the bridle before pressing on between the final two fences. Allowed to steady into the last, he then knuckled down well on the run-in to win with more in hand than the fourlength margin suggests. A half-brother to a French 2m2f hurdle winner and out of a dam who placed in hurdles and fences up to 2m4f – herself a half-sister to a French Listed hurdle winner over 2m3f – he should have a natural blend of speed and stamina. Now in the care of Philip Hobbs & Johnson White, Titi Montmartre looks the type who will need time to develop both physically and mentally, but the early signs offer encouragement that he can make an impact under Rules once sent hurdling. Intermediate distances will likely suit best for now.
YEMEN
Goliath du Berlais – Yosille (Blue Bresil)
4YO B G | TRAINER CLIVE BOULTBEE-BROOKS | FORM F- | TRIP 2M + | GOING UNKNOWN
KEY CHARACTERISTICS SHOWED PROMISE PRIOR TO FALLING
NICELY BRED
POINT FORM WORKED OUT WELL
COULD SLIP UNDER THE RADAR
THE Clive Boultbee-Brooks-trained Yemen could be a horse to note if transitioning to racing under Rules, having shown ability in the useful maiden over 2m5f at Maisemore that has already seen me discuss both the winner, Midem de Berce, and the runner-up, Kapella Grey. Yemen, a four-year-old gelding by the sire of the moment, Goliath du Berlais, set out to make the running but was soon overtaken by the eventual winner and consented to tracking the pace, albeit well adrift in a tightly grouped pack under James King. Still around 15 lengths behind Midem de Berce as he flew the open ditch down the far side, Yemen was a touch clumsy over the fence but continued to eat into the deficit along with Kapella Grey over the fourth from home. Still moving nicely and making promising headway approaching the next, he unfortunately got into the bottom of the fence and landed steeply, causing him to crumple on landing. It was a shame, as it would have been interesting to see where he might have finished, with the form receiving a boost from the eventual third, while both the runner-up and winner now head into training with Jamie Snowden. Yemen is a scopey sort and a half-brother to the Jane Williams-trained Yeld To Call, out of a useful French 2m2f hurdle winner who is herself a half-sister to Dan Skelton’s bumper and 2m3f/3m hurdle winner Blue Carpet. He has great potential and could slip under the radar. 10
Point-to-Point Recruits 2026-2027
Ex-Pointers TO FOLLOW
Kilnesare Flight
KILNESARE FLIGHT 6yo B G Malinas – Kilnesare Kate (Mahler) Trainer Donald McCain Owner Owners Group 145
Optimal Conditions 2m4f+ Soft/Heavy Career Form Figures 2/212-
KILNESARE FLIGHT was one of only two finishers when filling the runner-up spot in a Point at Moig South behind Home Made Hero in November 2024, and he spent just over a year off the track before making a promising start for Donald McCain in the Owners Group colours at Carlisle. He finished second to Loveable Reprobate on that occasion, beaten just three parts of a length and coming back at the winner towards the finish having travelled keenly on the outer before hitting the front at the bottom of the hill. Building on that effort, he then switched to hurdles at Ayr in the New Year and beat a strong field that included Next Twist, Bras d’Or and Triple Crown Ted by upwards of a length and a quarter. Settling better this time, he tracked the pace and looked in trouble when coming under pressure at the third last before staying on most willingly between the final couple of flights to take the lead jumping the last. He then returned to Carlisle in February and bumped into the subsequent Albert Bartlett winner Johnny’s Jury, finishing seven lengths behind but pulling four lengths clear of Knomorediamonds in third. A big, galloping sort out of a heavy-ground 3m Point winner, Kilnesare Flight loves the mud and looks ready for a step up in trip. A mark of 121 gives him an appealing platform from which to build. He is exciting and has the most wonderful attitude.
KLIMT MADRIK 6yo B G Choeur du Nord – Wishing Well (Irish Wells) Trainer Toby Lawes Owner Alex and Janet Card
Optimal Conditions 2m4f+ Soft Career Form Figures 34/4128-
KLIMT MADRIK may have won only one of his four novice hurdles, but he ran some tremendous races in defeat at the highest level and shapes as though he will make an even better chaser. The Toby Lawestrained six-year-old returned from 576 days off the track to make his Rules debut, having previously finished third and fourth between the flags, the latter in a race where Meetmebythesea was runner-up. His debut for these connections came at Ffos Las in October where he outran his 33/1 odds to finish fourth behind Kalkbrenner in a maiden hurdle, before reversing that form at Newbury next time. Coming from off the pace, he stayed on strongly after the last to get up late, and he raised his level again over the same course and distance in the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle. Again produced from off the pace, he challenged after the last and was beaten just over a length. He rounded off his campaign in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, finishing eighth, beaten shy of seven lengths in a race that has worked out well. Still raw last season, a summer at grass should have helped him fill his frame, and he now appeals as a serious novice chaser in the making. With a preference for soft ground, he hails from the family of the staying chaser Lord du Mesnil and ought to stay 3m when required.
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Point-to-Point Recruits 2026-2027