TOP TEN FOR JUMP START

Paul Ferguson offers his stars to follow as the NH season warms up

- Paul Ferguson

Hopefully, last month's Ten To Follow feature acted as an aperitif and this month's column whets the appetite yet further for the forthcoming National Hunt season.

Here, I have come up with another 10 horses I am looking forward to in the coming months and this bunch will, hopefully, develop into high-class novices, be it over hurdles or fences.

DIVA LUNA

Ben Pauling

Ben Pauling enjoyed a fine season with his bumper horses last term and this mare was probably top of the pile. The daughter of Diamond Boy was outstayed when beaten in an Irish Point and had clearly been working well at home as her trainer pitched her straight into Listed company for her Rules debut. She made all and won in a professional manner at Market Rasen and bettered that when running out a dominant winner of the Grade 2 Nickel Coin at Aintree. Although there is plenty of stamina in her pedigree, she looks to possess plenty of speed and should make up into a smart novice hurdler over the minimum trip.

KAWABOOMGA

WP Mullins

Leading owner JP McManus has bought several interesting recruits from France during the close season and this 4yo could be the pick of the bunch. By the increasingly-popular sire Tunis, he ran once over hurdles for trainer Francois Nicolle, shaping with abundant promise when finishing third at Auteuil. The winner won next time and the second has won since so the form looks strong. A winner on the Flat, he looks a sure-fire maiden hurdle winner and could end up developing into a very smart novice for his all-conquering stable.

KERRYHILL

Ruth Jefferson