As the leaves start to fall and the flat racing season winds down, attention turns once again to the jumps. The 2025–2026 National Hunt campaign is about to get underway, bringing months of drama, excitement, and betting opportunities right through to the Grand National in April.
Whether you’re a racing fanatic or a weekend fan, this season promises plenty to keep you interested, from new bookmakers entering the market to fresh horses lining up for their first taste of the big stage.
Finding the Right New Bookmaker
A new jumps season is the perfect time to reassess your betting set-up. The UK market is constantly changing, with new bookmakers appearing each year offering competitive odds, sign-up bonuses, and faster withdrawal times.
If you haven’t switched or compared offers recently, it’s worth doing so now. Look for betting sites that give the best odds guaranteed on horse racing, especially if you like to place early bets. Check for welcome bonuses that match your style of betting, whether that’s free bets, deposit matches, or cashback offers.
Speed of withdrawal has become an increasingly important factor too, as more punters prefer bookmakers that pay out winnings on fast withdrawal betting sites within minutes or hours rather than days.
With competition high among operators, there’s real value in shopping around and finding one that suits you best before the season kicks into full gear.
Big Festivals To Put In The Diary
The jumps season builds slowly, but by Christmas, the action is in full swing. One of the first major highlights comes at Kempton Park with the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, a race that often shapes the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture.
Then all eyes will turn to the Cheltenham Festival 2026, which will bring in several format changes following the recent announcement by organisers.
The Mares Hurdle will move from Tuesday to Thursday, the Ryanair Chase returns to the 4pm slot on day three, and the Plate Handicap Chase moves to day one on the schedule.
Then we roll on to Aintree in April 2026, where the Grand National, on Saturday, April 11, remains the crown jewel of the season. The world’s most famous steeplechase never fails to produce stories that last a lifetime, and the run-up to it always adds an extra layer of excitement to spring racing.
The Run of Nationals in April
Speaking of Grand Nationals, April isn’t just about Aintree. In fact, for 2026, we have a run of renewals in what looks like the most intense period of the season.
Three huge National races in quick succession. The Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse sets the tone on Monday, April 6, followed by the Aintree Grand National on April 11, and then the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on April 18.
Yep, you read that correctly – three Nationals in a 12-day period – does racing get more exciting than that?? I don’t think so!
Each race has its own character. Fairyhouse often produces younger tough staying types, Aintree provides the spectacle and unpredictability that capture the public’s imagination, and Ayr offers one last chance for a long-distance winner to shine before the season winds down.
For racing fans, it’s an action-packed few weeks where stamina, skill, and luck all combine to shape the spring headlines.
Can Anyone Stop Willie Mullins?
We can hardly talk about things to look forward to in the upcoming jumps season without mentioning the magician that is trainer Willie Mullins.
The 2025–2026 season will again see him as the man everyone is chasing. His domination of the National Hunt scene continues to grow, with a yard packed full of Grade One talent.
From seasoned campaigners to young stars making their first appearances over fences, the Closutton team is likely to be a major force once more.
But competition is building. Gordon Elliott, Nicky Henderson, and Dan Skelton all have talented strings heading into the new season, while smaller yards continue to produce the odd surprise.
Watching how the balance of power shifts across the campaign is one of the great ongoing stories of modern jumps racing.
Rising Stars and Returning Champions
Every new jumps season brings a mix of familiar faces and emerging talent. Last year’s novice chasers and hurdlers now face the challenge of open company, while seasoned names like Galopin Des Champs, Constitution Hill, and State Man aim to maintain their dominance.
Punters will be watching closely to see which younger horses make the leap into top-level success, especially those eyeing races like the Arkle, Ryanair Chase, or Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Currently, the smart money is being lumped on Bambino Fever, from Willie Mullins, who leads the ante-post odds for the Supreme Novices’ at Cheltenham. The five-year-old mare is four from four on the flat, including two Grade 1s, but all signs point to her stepping up to the hurdles and laying down a marker at Prestbury Park.
Meanwhile, the veterans’ races offer nostalgic appeal, with fan favourites often finding new life in slightly easier company.
For many fans, spotting the next big thing before everyone else is part of the fun, whether that’s a horse stepping up in class, a young jockey finding form, or a trainer enjoying a breakout year.
A Season Packed with Promise
From the first jumps at Chepstow in October to Sandown with the Handicap Hurdle on April 25, 2026, which marks the end of the National Hunt season in Britain, the 2025–2026 season offers racing fans months of storylines, rivalries, and betting opportunities.
There are new bookmakers to test, new stars to follow, and familiar heroes to cheer once again, as each week builds towards something bigger, with every race carrying its own small part of the larger picture.
Whether you follow the sport for the betting, the horses, or simply the thrill of competition, this season looks set to deliver plenty for everyone who loves National Hunt racing.
