HORSE-racing pundit Mark Howard from Kirkby Lonsdale writes the first of a series of occasional articles for the Gazette on the current National Hunt jump season.

WITH former Penrith- based Jonjo O'Neill firmly ensconced in his new base at Jackdaws Castle, near Cheltenham, Lenny Lungo looks set to spearhead the leading northern challenges on the new National Hunt season.

The Carrutherstown trainer, thanks largely to the huge financial clout of the appropriately named Ashleybank Investments, has built up a formidable team of young jumping talent.

At the top of the list is The Bajan Bandit, a winner of eight of his nine career starts.

The seven-year-old's sole defeat came at last March's Cheltenham Festival, at a time when a number of the Lungo string were under a cloud and he should be given an opportunity to atone in such exalted company.

The Bajan Bandit will be near impossible to beat in northern novice chases at venues such as Ayr and Carlisle, before heading south for the major end of season festivals.

Other potential 'superstars' embedded in the Lungo's Dumfriesshire yard include Skippers Cleuch, who is returning from a career threatening neck injury.

He, rather like The Bajan Bandit, has only suffered one defeat and he will take all the beating on the northern circuit.

His novice chasing team is further complimented by the giant Mr Woodentop.

A three times winner last season, he has been crying out for the 'big black ones' and he could run up a sequence.

Slightly lesser household names, at this stage, to watch out for are Armaguedon and Kymani Prince.

Both geldings displayed plenty of promise in bumpers and will win their share of novice hurdles this term.

The aforementioned Ashleybank Investments are also responsible for arguably the most exciting prospect in Greystoke-based Nicky Richards' stable, namely Telemoss.

A high-class hurdler last season, he will embark on a chasing career and cannot fail to win races over two and two and a half miles.

Strictly on the evidence of his run in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, he is always likely to be most effective over distances short of three miles.

Nicky Richards has, to an extent, been guilty of under racing his inmates but Telemoss should be well worth the wait.

Mark's new annual, One Jump, is available from W.

H.

Smith priced £ 4.99.