FIVE TO FOLLOW 2025/2026: ALAN HILL

In the first of a mini-series featuring South Midlands trainers, Alan Hill - who leads the way among current keepers nationwide (441 winners and counting) - gives the lowdown on five of his prospects for the coming season.

Jongleur D’Ainay

Co-owned by me and your correspondent. We were full of excitement going into last season after his Wadebridge win in 2023/2024 and we got him to the races at Chipley Park, but the meeting was called off with him standing in the lorry park. He then suffered a problem that curtailed his season but he’s been back in training for a while and will be out early, somewhere with cut in the ground. We worked him this morning and he cantered well and is in good order. If we’ve got the horse we had two years ago and are being greedy, we may aim for the Cheltenham Intermediate or Stratford Restricted Final.

Learntalot

The pin-up boy of the yard at the moment. Three out of his four runs last year were very good – he’s no good in a match (!) – and we’re over the moon with him. He’ll probably start off at Friars Haugh again, as he’ll be ready by then, before going Hunter Chasing. I’ve been told by co-owner Rodney Mann that we won’t be going for either Foxhunters and that the big aim is Stratford again. He won the Restricted Final there in 2024 and was second in the Horse & Hound last season.

Reel Much Fun

A maiden who we’ve bought for the Cranfield family. We got him from Doncaster in July and he’s had two runs in Irish points, finishing fourth and seventh – the second run came too quickly. He’s a nice type of horse, who may run over Christmas or early in the New Year, possibly in East Anglia, if things keep going well with him.

Soldier Unknown

We were really excited about him after his form in 2023/2024, and pleased after his win first time out at Wadebridge, where he had Jet Smart in third. However, he had wind issues after that. An operation helped him win at Kimble, but the problems recurred at Edgcote, so he’s had a second operation over the summer. I hope we’ll see the potential we thought he had after his first season with us and he’ll run over Christmas. We’ll be looking for soft ground. Also co-owned by Rodney Mann.

The Dancing Tree

Won a bumper and placed over hurdles for Gavin Cromwell, but his form tailed off and (son) Joe bought him at Doncaster in May for the Woodway partnership. He’s another who’s well forward and will start early and may go for the Restricted at Lower Machen on the first day of the season. He should appreciate good ground, which will suit his speed.