IT can be both a humbling and entertaining exercise to review the predictions made around this time of year with a view to the coming 12 months. Before looking into the crystal ball for 2026, a quick word on this column last year when nominating names to note for 2025.

You might think it was an extremely shrewd piece of predicting to put forward Ethical Diamond as a “well-handicapped horse” heading into the new year. Unfortunately, I was referring to his hurdles mark of 132!

Closer to the mark was a recommendation to take the 25/1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle about Kopek Des Bordes (and 20/1 for the Turners as a back-up). Aidan O’Brien’s Serengeti was my well-handicapped flat horse to note (rated 93 at the time and ended up winning to improve to 105 at the end of a mixed season) and Candleford Green was put forward as a “maiden winner in waiting”. While she did oblige at Gowran in October, she wasn’t as high-class as hoped following her Leopardstown debut second.

At least a mention of Tiernan Power Roche as a “National Hunt rider on the rise” didn’t look foolish, as he ended the season with the champion conditional jockeys’ trophy. All that said, here’s my latest attempt at names to note for 2026.

1. A National Hunt horse to follow (running this Christmas)

Nominating a once-raced, Willie Mullins-trained bumper winner from the previous Easter didn’t serve us badly 12 months ago, and a similar case is made this time for Doctor Du Mesnil.

Even though he won a less glamorous bumper on paper than Kopek Des Bordes at the same time of year, there was a massive wow factor about what he produced in bolting up by 11 lengths under Jody Townend in a two-mile-three-furlong event at Cork on Easter Sunday. There was some substance to that form too. Runner-up Thedeviluno, who pulled 13 lengths clear of the rest, beat some decent rivals in a maiden hurdle since - and most recently finishing second in the Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle.

It’s obviously a challenge to get a full handle on what Doctor Du Mesnil achieved, though he did clock the top speed in the race, the longest maximum stride length, longest average stride length and quickest stride frequency.

It’s interesting to note that the Over The Sticks Syndicate-owned five-year-old is 8/1 for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and 14/1 for the Supreme, as he doesn’t look a slow type and Mullins tends to prefer keeping his horses to shorter trips until they show a definite preference for further.

He’s also by Doctor Dino, whose top performers like State Man, Sharjah and Sceau Royal aren’t suited by much longer than two miles. The likes of Dinoblue, Jade De Grugy and Jazzy Matty (all by Doctor Dino) have been able to prosper over mid-range trips, though closer to the minimum trip was fine for them early in their careers. His dam, rated 128 over hurdles, recorded her sole win over an extended mile and seven furlongs in France. That female side of his family is also interesting, as his dam is by Saint Des Saints - an exceptionally good damsire (flagbearers in this regard include El Fabiolo, Douvan, Jonbon, Envoi Allen, Appreciate It, Saint Roi, Hercule Du Seuil, Maskada and Salvator Mundi).

Doctor Du Mesnil has been declared for Leopardstown’s two-mile maiden hurdle on St Stephen’s Day (12.35). Maybe he’ll end up down the Supreme road.

2. A young flat apprentice to watch out for

I’m always reluctant to build up young riders too much as several promising prospects down the years have rattled through their claims without building up sufficient experience to compete in senior company without an allowance. Likewise, how they climb the ranks, season after season, is very much dependent on their individual rates of self-improvement.

One apprentice who has been catching the eye, however, is Patrick McGettigan. Having ridden his first winner as a 16-year-old at the Curragh in August 2024, he has made continued progress throughout this year with 22 winners (up from four in 2024).

The Donegal native is in an excellent academy for young riders, based with Johnny Murtagh, and has the potential to ride plenty more winners next year if building on the growth he’s shown over the last six months.

3. A good value National Hunt claiming rider

The Declan Queally yard has been making strides in recent seasons, and conditional rider Michael Kenneally’s 7lb claim ought to be an asset to the Co Waterford operation going forward.

The Co Cork native is relatively new to the National Hunt weighing room, but he has built up extensive experience riding out for high-class operations internationally, and he made his first ride as a professional a winning one aboard Carrigmoornaspruce at this year’s Listowel Harvest Festival (aged 29 then).

Kenneally operated at a tidy 19% strike rate in point-to-points last season (14 winners) and has ridden 12 winners with his conditional licence. Two of those have come in valuable handicaps too, partnering Drumgill to victory in a €45,000 listed handicap chase at Fairyhouse last month and making the most of his only his third ride for Gordon Elliott when winning a €100,000 handicap hurdle at Navan aboard Gringo D’Aubrelle a few weeks ago.

He can claim off low weights and looks a rider worth bearing in mind for decent handicaps for the remainder of the season and beyond.

4. A flat two-year-old of interest from the yearling sales

We typically put forward horses who have already run, but how about something different this time?

Having been on the ground at a host of yearling sales across the autumn, there were any number of attractive young prospects to pick from but one I’m looking forward to seeing on the track looks particularly good buying now, since her pedigree has received a considerable boost in the aftermath.

In Book 1 of the 2025 Goffs Orby Yearling Sale, there was an awful lot to like about a Coulsty filly consigned by Rathasker Stud (lot 402) - she stood out physically as being impressive for a May foal. Amo Racing signed for her at €200,000 and for all that her sire has never had a higher-priced yearling sell in Britain and Ireland, this filly’s family looks all the richer now.

At the time, her half-brother by Camelot had only just won a Dundalk maiden. That winner has gone on to become Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud and Group 3 Zetland Stakes scorer Pierre Bonnard - now the 7/1 favourite for next year’s Derby. Another half-sister, Crepe Suzette (by Saxon Warrior) earned Group 2 blacktype when third in the Park Hill Stakes on her last start.

It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that this family is doing well, given the dam, Sultanina, won the Group 1 Nassau Stakes in 2014.

Perhaps the daughter of Coulsty will take some time to reach her peak, as a scopey sort, but she looks a smart type.