'He is obviously a machine but I think JP McManus has a serious squad' - the big jumps season question answered

Pick up your copy of The Big Jump Off, packed with everything you need for the 2024-25 National Hunt season, this Monday, October 21. Our 72-page supplement features ante-post tips, pro punter insight, trainer and jockey analysis and much more, including an expert jury, part of which is available to read as a free sample below.

Grab your copy free in the Racing Post newspaper this Monday, also available via the Racing Post Digital Newspaper on Sunday evening at 9pm as part of Members' Club Ultimate, our unrivalled subscription package. You can also order a copy from the Racing Post Shop here.

What do you make of the changes to the Cheltenham Festival?

Bryan Cooper, Gold Cup-winning jockey Some of the greatest rides I’ve seen at the festival have been by amateurs in the National Hunt Chase and to take the race away from them doesn’t really sit well with me. I can see where they were coming from with the Turners going back to a handicap as it was getting small fields and the quality was a bit diluted.

Alice Plunkett, ITV Racing presenter I think the changes in the main are a good move. We want the best horses to take each other on. Getting rid of the Turners will make the Arkle stronger and I like the novice handicap chase idea to keep things competitive. It’s definitely a good move to make the cross-country a handicap and I think it makes total sense to take the penalty away in the mares’ novice hurdle. The Jockey Club has listened, it has been nimble and brave enough to make changes, and that should be applauded.

Can the top British trainers resist Willie Mullins in the title race?

Paul Nicholls, 14-time champion trainer We have done before and we will do again, but it’s not going to be easy. We’ve got a good young team and I’m looking forward to the season.

Matt Williams, pro punter It’s going to be difficult. Willie Mullins has spent the summer restocking with horses some of our best trainers can’t get near, while he has the numbers to aim serious talent at all of our big prizes. But Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton are all brilliant and are driven to dilute Mullins’ impact. I do fear, if he wants it bad enough, he will engineer a route to success.

Galopin Des Champs (right) wins the Cheltenham Gold Cup for a second time last seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Can anyone stop Galopin Des Champs recording a hat-trick in the Cheltenham Gold Cup?

Bryan Cooper, Gold Cup-winning jockey He’s one of my favourite horses and I fancied him massively last season. He’s a year older now and it’s hard to know what Fastorslow would have done had he stood up at Cheltenham. I also think Gerri Colombe could improve, as last season was his first outside novice company. He’s likely to be stronger and better this time.

Alice Plunkett, ITV Racing presenter I’m a huge Galopin Des Champs fan. He is obviously a machine but I think JP McManus has a serious squad in Corbetts Cross, Inothewayurthinkin and Iroko who will definitely put it up to him.

Can Nicky Henderson get Constitution Hill back to his best, and are you with or against him at 7-4?

Nico de Boinville, Constitution Hill's jockey Of course, I have full faith. The odds are one thing I never really look at, so his price wouldn’t be worrying me.

Paul Nicholls, 14-time champion trainer It won’t be easy but if anyone can get him back, Nicky can.

Ginny's Destiny: well-fancied Paddy Power Gold Cup contender for Paul NichollsCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

If you had to back one horse for one race this season, who would it be?

Paul Nicholls, 14-time champion trainer Ginny’s Destiny in the Paddy Power Gold Cup– I’m really keen on him. We’ll probably go straight there like we did with Stage Star last season.

Matt Williams, pro punter This one is easy. Ballyburn in the Arkle.

Is the Grand National better or worse for the changes and who is your early fancy for the race?

Alice Plunkett, ITV Racing presenter It has had to adapt. I really enjoyed covering the Grand National last season, it was enjoyable and competitive and had a great winner in I Am Maximus. The race has changed a lot, but that is for the good of the horses, and that is a good thing.

Matt Williams, pro punter As a Liverpudlian, the Grand National is up there with Liverpool FC and Everton. It’s part of our fabric and we’re proud of it. Personally, I preferred the version from 30 years ago, but I’m comfy with how it’s evolved and it’s arguably a bigger city event than in the early 80s, so that’s a big tick. A soft ground Grand National and it’s I Am Maximus again.

Read this next:

Patrick Mullins: 'He isn't pretty, he isn't flash, he isn't Constitution Hill. But right now, they have the same number of Champion Hurdles' 

Pick up your copy of The Big Jump Off, packed with everything you need for the 2024-25 National Hunt season. Our 72-page supplement includes ante-post tips, pro punter insight, trainer and jockey analysis and much more. Grab your copy free in the Racing Post newspaper on Monday, October 21, also available via the Racing Post Digital Newspaper as part of Members' Club Ultimate, our unrivalled subscription package.