JUMPING MARES TO WATCH

Paul Ferguson starts his National Hunt preview with 15 key females to follow

- Paul Ferguson

As we close in on September and the conclusion of the Flat season, the National Hunt season 'proper' draws ever closer and having been locked away for the past few months writing the 17th edition of Jumpers To Follow - I'm ready to turn my attentions to the jumpers. This is the first in a series of 'Horse To Follow' features, which I thought that I would break down, starting with 15 mares to note, during the months ahead.

AURORA VEGA (WILLIE MULLINS) - A five-year-old by Walk In The Park, she is the third foal of top-class hurdler Quevega, making her a full-sister to four-time Grade 1 winner, Facile Vega. Sent off at prohibitive odds at Sligo in mid-June, she effortlessly won a 2m2f bumper, when she only had to be nudged out to win by a comfortable 12 lengths. Whilst it wasn't much of a race, visually it was impressive and there is sure to be more to come from this very wellbred mare.

BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD (GORDON ELLIOTT) - Gordon Elliott sadly lost his hugely promising young chaser Mighty Potter at Fairyhouse on 9th April, but in the very next race his half-sister made it 2-2 in bumpers and again marked herself down as a lovely long-term prospect. Her dam Matnie is proving to be a producer of very smart performers and she added her name to her growing list of winners, when successful in a deep ground bumper at Gowran Park in March. The daughter of Kapgarde should make an impact at a fairly decent level as a novice hurdler this winter.