2021/22 National Hunt Conditional Jockeys To Follow

With the domestic flat season starting to slowly wind down, attentions now turn to the new National Hunt campaign, where the mud starts to fly and many bubbles of reputation are yet to be burst.

The conditional jockey ranks are getting stronger and stronger every year, with the commonly used "good value for the claim" phrase often thrown around at various different stages throughout the season. Here are my conditional jockeys to follow for the 2021/22 National Hunt campaign.

Luca Morgan (5)

Attached to the upwardly mobile Bourton On The Water yard of Ben Pauling, Luca Morgan is a rider who has steadily been making progress over the last couple of seasons.

The 2020/21 campaign was a productive one for Luca, which saw him reduce his claim down to 5lbs, reach double figures for winners and culminated with two big rides aboard former Seven Barrows stalwart Top Notch at The Cheltenham Festival (third in the Paddy Power Plate at 50/1) and Aintree Grand National meeting.

One of the more taller jockeys in the weighing room, Luca manages his weight well and built up some solid partnerships with the consistent Fawsley Spirit and Whatsupwithyou (who finished fourth in the Martin Pipe Conditionals Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham).

With a handy 5lb claim and the backing of his boss Ben Pauling, who showed faith in Luca on several occasions last season, I fully expect Luca to build upon a promising last season and showcase his talents throughout the Winter.

Mitch Bastyan (3)

Mitch Bastyan is arguably one of the more underrated claimers around at the moment. The 22 year old enjoyed a productive last season, seeing his claim reduced from 5lbs to 3lbs as well as gaining a first ride at Grade 1 level when partnering the Milton Harris trained Pyramid Place in the Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow on Welsh National day.

A tidy rider with good hands and strong in a finish, Mitch’s talents were seen to good effect when he fired in a big priced double, driving home Away For Slates for Milton Harris and producing an exemplary front running ride aboard Pirate Sam for David Bridgwater at Plumpton a couple of weeks ago.

Heading into the new campaign, Mitch will receive plenty of support predominantly from the Sutton Veny based handler Milton Harris and Somerset based Laura Young, who have all enjoyed success with the 3lb claimer. Mitch Bastyan is a young, up and coming jockey to keep on the right side of this season.

Charlie Todd (3) Based in the West Midlands with leading dual purpose handler Ian Williams, Charlie Todd is a young jockey on an upward trajectory. A career best 29 winners capped a fine season for the 20 year old, with wins aboard Red Infantry in The Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster and One More Fleurie at the prestigious Scottish Grand National meeting being the two standouts.

The new season had brought no halt to Charlie’s sparkling form, until injury hit at Market Rasen on August 14th, which has seen any potential tilt at the Conditional Jockeys Championship put on hold for now. A possible return to race riding on October 1st looks to be the aim.

Although a game of catch up will be needed to be in the hunt for the lucrative Conditionals Championship, Charlie will not be short of the all important ammunition required. With Ian Williams main bulk of jumpers to come as well as outside rides for other yards, I will be surprised if Charlie’s not in with a shout of the title at the end of the season.

Liam Harrison (5)

Currently leading the way in the Conditional Jockeys Championship at the time of writing, Liam Harrison is building all the right foundations for a very strong season.

Based at Ravenswell Farm under the tutelage of the enthusiastic, successful Fergal O’Brien, Liam has started the new campaign at a rate of knots, with the young rider already surpassing 17 winners. As for any jockey who aspires to chase any championship, support from both Fergal and outside connections will be pivotal.

The 5lb claim of Liam’s will be of high demand throughout the season. Pairing that with the upward rise that Liam’s boss Fergal O’Brien is on, a serious attempt at the Conditional Jockeys Championship is a strong, realistic aim this season. Thomas Willmott (5)

Situated in Bingley at the Grand National winning yard of Sue Smith’s, Thomas Willmott is a Northern based jockey to note.

Having started his career at another Grand National winning yard of Lucinda Russell’s Scottish base, Thomas made the move to Sue Smith’s at the back end of last season. A first winner for new connections came quite recently, with the 5lb claimed partnering Treasured Company to victory at Uttoxeter in early September.

With the boost of a handy 5lb claim, Thomas should not be short of opportunities throughout the Winter and is a young jockey with a very bright future. Charlotte Jones (5)

Currently occupying fourth position in the Conditional Jockeys Championship with a very solid twelve winners, Charlotte Jones is rapidly emerging as one of The North’s brightest talents.

Based with the shrewd James Moffatt yard in Cartmel, Cumbria, Charlotte rounded of this Summer as her local tracks (Cartmel) leading rider for the season and captured the Cartmel Cup aboard course regular Alqamar, completing a hattrick aboard the 7yo in the process.

A polished rider who has a good Racing brain, knows where to place her horse in a race, as well as being extremely strong in a finish, Charlotte has started this season in exceptional style. As the campaign progresses, it would definitely not come as a shock to see Charlotte firmly in the hunt for the Conditional Jockeys Championship.

Jack Tudor (3)

A jockey who’s gone from strength to strength ever since he burst on to the scene in December 2019 when winning the Welsh National aboard the locally trained Potters Corner. Jack Tudor will be a leading contender for the Conditional Jockey’s Championship.

The last two campaigns have been fruitful ones for the 18 year old, with over 47 winners accumulated and seeing his claim tumble from 7lb down to 3lb, as well as securing a first Grand National ride aboard Potters Corner last April. Although room in that 3lb‘s is limited, I don’t see a lack of opportunities hindering Jack this season. As far as natural talent goes, you would do well to look further then Jack, he has all the attributes to carve out a successful career in the saddle.

Jack currently sits in sixth position the Conditional Jockeys Championship with a respectable nine winners and has started the season in steady fashion.

With boss Christian Williams slowly bringing out his ammunition, including old ally Potters Corner, the exciting 5yo Kitty’s Light (who should have won the Bet365 Gold Cup), Five Star Getaway and more, I expect Jack to be in amongst the leading contenders for the Conditional Jockeys Championship this season.

Ross Turner (5) Attached to the rapidly improving

Stockton Hall Farm base of Oliver Greenall, Ross Turner is another promising rider who caught the eye on several occasions last season.

The 2020-21 season was a steady but progressive one for Ross, finishing the season with a total of eight winners, equalling the same figure achieved in 2018-19.

Looking ahead to the main chunk of the season, Ross’ 5lb claim along with the talented ammunition coming out of the Oliver Greenall yard (with the likes of Evander and Pym to look forward too) could be a recipe for plenty of success this season.

William Marshall (5)

Having moved from the prolific Warwickshire yard of Dan Skelton to join up with the team of Gold Cup, Grand National and multiple Grade 1 winning trainer Jonjo O’Neil at Jackdaws Castle, Will Marshall has made a progressive start to the new season.

The talented 5lb claimer is already on course to equal last seasons total of four winners, having already fired in three winners so far in the new campaign.

Last season was a season of transition for Will, moving stables during the season and reducing his claim from 7lb to 5lb was a step in the right direction.

The aim of surpassing a career best 7 winners in a season (2018-19) looks to be a strong possibility this year, along with a strong incentive of a 5lb claim to put to good use in handicaps throughout the season, I expect Will to kick on this year and have a very solid campaign in the saddle.

Niall Houlihan (5)

One of the rapidly improving young jockeys in the weighing room, Niall Houlihan enjoyed a breakthrough 2020-21 campaign bagging 17 winners and emerging as a strong contender for this years Conditional Jockeys Championship.

Attached to the highly successful dual purpose West Sussex yard of Gary Moore, Niall was seen to exceptional effect aboard Fifty Ball last season at Sandown Park as well as forging a productive partnership with the JP McManus owned Nick Gifford trained Belargus, with the pair recording an impressive pair of victories together.

The talented 5lb claimed has kicked off the new campaign with a steady four winners so far and could emerge as a rider who we’ll be seeing plenty of on our screens this Winter.

Additional Conditional Jockeys To Follow

•Joe Williamson 7lb- Phil Kirby

•Lily Pinchin 5lb- McPherson & O’Brien Racing

•Ben Godfrey 5lb- Anthony Honeyball

•Joe Anderson 7lb- Emma Lavelle

•Ellis Collier 7lb- Christian Williams

•Charlie Price 5lb- Tim Vaughan

•Oakley Brown 5lb

•Theo Gillard 5lb- Donald McCain