Conditional Jockeys To Follow 2022/23

This year has flown by. It only feels as though I was at Newmarket for the 1000 Guineas yesterday. The flat season has gone by in what seems to be the blink of an eye.

However, we now move on to one of my favourite times within the Racing calendar. The nights are slowly drawing in, the weather is gradually getting colder as well as more miserable. But that can only mean one thing, the start of a new National Hunt campaign.

“The Jumps Are Back” is one of the most ridiculous slogan‘s I‘ve seen as we roll into the Autumn. Mainly due to a packed Summer Jumps schedule, the jumps never actually does go away. As a result, it always raises the one big question. Do we really need a crammed Summer jumping schedule at the height of British Summer Time?. Can we scale down on the fixtures in order for more competitive field sizes and Racing?. I’ll leave those answers up to the powers that be and topics more relevant for another day.

For long time followers of my work, you’ll know that at the start of every National Hunt season, I highlight a handful of Conditional Jockeys to follow going into the new season. Here are my selected up and coming talents who I believe can light up the dark Winter days this season.

Luca Morgan (3): Ben Pauling

Long term readers/followers on my Twitter page will know that Luca Morgan is a Conditional I rate very highly.

Last season was a very enjoyable one for the three pound claimer attached to upwardly mobile Ben Pauling stable. Plenty of opportunities were supplied and those opportunities were duly taken. Wins aboard the likes of Shakemup’arry, Quinto Do Mar, Nestor Park and a horse I hold in very high regard Do Your Job solidified my thoughts that this year could end up being a big year for Luca.

Luca has started the new campaign in fine fettle and currently sits in third position in the Conditional Jockeys Championship table with twelve wins from fifty rides. The foundations have well and truly been set in order for an attempt to reel in the clear leader Philip Armson and defending champion Kevin Brogan. This could be an intriguing battle over the course of the Winter and one that will hopefully mirror the thrilling back and forth Apprentice Jockeys Championship duel between Benoît De La Sayette and Harry Davies.

Watch out for Luca's younger brother Beau who will be one of the newest additions to the Conditional ranks this season. He is a bright talent who will go on to achieve plenty in his career.

Jack Hogan (7): Fergal O’Brien/Graeme Mcpherson

Having graduated from the ultra successful Irish Pony Racing ranks, Jack Hogan has enjoyed a productive start to life in England since moving at the start of this calendar year.

It seems as though Jack has really found his feet as a result of a move to the ever growing, rapidly improving team of Fergal O’Brien and Graeme McPherson.

The move has already provided instant success, with Jack recording a pair of wins aboard Mortlach at Newton Abbot and Kelso, as well as Landen Calling and Imperial Sands to name a few. As we slowly creep into the main bulk of the Winter season, do not be surprised to see Jack’s seven pound claim in hot demand. A tidy rider with good hands, I would be very surprised if this season is not a successful one for Jack.

Bradley Harris (7): Milton Harris

Bradley's route towards becoming a Conditional was probably less straight forward then others having originally started out as an Apprentice on the flat under the tutelage of Andrew Balding before moving on to Roger Fell.

Bradley's time as an Apprentice was successful, with a handful of winners notched up and good foundations laid for a productive career on the level. For reasons unknown, most likely weight, Bradley switched codes and made the move to the resurgent Sutton Veny based yard of Milton Harris, a move that has been very fruitful.

The very smart unbeaten in two career starts Twinjets provided Bradley with a notable success on Haydock's Swinton Hurdle card towards the back end of last season and the seven pound claimer has not looked back since. Appreciate, Mr Yeats, Earth Cry, Mucuna and Sufi have all contributed towards a total of seven winners so far this season with Bradley currently occupying tenth position in the Conditional Jockeys Championship.

It's evidently clear that Milton is not afraid to put Bradley up and as we creep into the Winter months, do not be surprised if Bradley Harris is a name you will be hearing plenty of.

Jack Wildman (7): Emma Lavelle

As far as catching the eye went last season, Jack Wildman was a rider who did just that. The talented Irishman enjoyed a progressive first term in England, riding out his ten pound claim and forging some good contacts to take into the new campaign.

One of Jack's standout rides last season came aboard the Sean Curran trained Doukarov in a two mile handicap chase at Sandown in early March. The pair combined on four occasions last season with form figures reading of 2125. Not bad going at all. Jack also enjoyed further success for his boss Emma Lavelle aboard Light N Strike, with the combination recording a pair of victories at Plumpton in November and April respectively.

In a talent pool full of promising claimers, Jack has all of the right attributes to succeed this season. Emma Lavelle is not shy in giving Jack opportunities and I'm confident that this young man will continue to flourish over the course of the Winter.

Emma Smith-Chaston (7): Micky Hammond

Whenever I read of jockeys to follow, I always feel that the North is under appreciated for the talent that it has. Emma Smith-Chaston is a jockey who I believe can achieve good things this season.

Rachael Blackmore's consistent success has clearly paved the way as well as inspired more female talent to come through and prove themselves. Last season we were treated to the breakthrough of Victoria Malzard, Lilly Pinchin enjoying a good season, Charlotte Jones riding well and Bryony Frost teaming up with long standing ally Frodon at Down Royal with the highly recognisable, proven partnership landing the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at the back end of October.

Emma has started this campaign in strong form and currrently sits in fifth position of the Conditional Jockeys Championship with nine victories at the time of writing. Larry Looby, the ever green Roxyfet, Balkotic and The Rutland Rebel have all played a big part in the strong early start for Emma, and I believe it will only snowball from here.

Emma's valuable claim will be in high demand as the season progresses. Currently, Emma sits menacingly on the heels of the championship pace setters. The talented Northern based rider could be a good outside hope to give the Southern based jockeys a challenge for the title this year.

Lilly Pinchin (3): Charlie Longsdon

Lilly is a rider who is going from strength to strength very quickly. The talented three pound claimer had began her career attached to the Fergal O'Brien/Graeme McPherson yard before making the move to Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire linking up with Charlie Longsdon.

This is a move that has been a huge success. Lilly currently sits on nine winners for the season at the time of writing and currently occupies joint fifth position in the Conditional Jockeys Championship. The winners have well and truly been flowing.

Midnight Jewel has been a superb partner for Lilly, with the pair recording wins at Worcester, Fontwell Park and most recently Bangor On Dee. Boomtime Banker has also been a trusty ally with Lilly notching a pair of wins at Worcester and Plumpton aboard the eight year old Mare.

The shrewd DJ Jeffreys has also been a long term supporter of Lilly's which will only boost any possible title tilt as we head into the serious period of the season. The three pound claim has plenty of mileage left in it along with Charlie and DJ providing adequate ammunition, Lilly is well on the way to enjoying a productive campaign.

Additional Conditionals To Follow

•Harry Kimber (5): Joe Tizzard

Currently sat in fourth position in the Conditional Jockeys Championship with ten winners. Harry will be a serious title contender.

•Peter Kavanagh (5): Donald McCain

Eight winners so far this season. Boss Donald McCain has provided Peter with plenty of early season ammunition. A name to keep track of.

•Thomasina Eyston (7): Neil Mulholland

Turned professional in the Summer and has not looked back. Wins aboard Agent Saonois, Dynamic Kate and The Turtle Said have all given Thomasina a solid platform to build upon this season. A talented rider on the up.

•Ellis Collier (7): Christian Williams

One of the tallest riders in the weighing room, yet very tidy and strong. Ellis completed a series of wins aboard yard legend Uno Mas last season culminating with a superb attacking ride at Aintree. Christian will be using Ellis often this season with the seven pound claim being exceptional value.

•Tom Midgley (5): Sam England

Similar to Ellis, Tom Midgley is a tall yet extremely neat and tidy rider. Tom currently sits on nine winners occupying joint fifth in the Conditional Jockeys Championship. Tom rode some quality horses last season including the highly progressive Tommy's Oscar and Voix Du Reve, winning on both. Tom's started the new season in flying form and I expect the upward curve to continue.

•Finn Lambert (7): Nigel Twiston-Davies

Finn caught the eye on several occasions last season. Most notably through his connection with battle hardened veteran Ballyandy with the pair recording a pair of wins at Fakenham and Chepstow together. The talented seven pound claimer has already enjoyed early season success with Herecomeshogan for Martin Keighley and Fantomas for boss Nigel Twiston-Davies and looks sure to achieve further, notable success this Winter.

Thank you for reading.

Imagery courtesy of JTW Equine Images

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