My super dozen to jump ahead

You're itching for the Flat season to end, couldn't give two hoots about the Breeders' Cup on Saturday week and if you hear of another grandly named Coolmore two-year-old you'll clock Michael Tabor one with a hardback copy of Finnegans Wake. What you need is a good dose of National Hunt racing.

The current jumps season has been trundling along quite happily since 1 May, but last weekend meetings at Kempton, Aintree and Wincanton injected some pace. More obscure tracks have already played host to the low-key reappearance of a top-class prospect. Their owners face many sleepless nights until March's Cheltenham Festival.

Martin Pipe is already set fair for his latest trainers' championship with a commanding lead over Philip Hobbs but, interestingly, Tony McCoy could have more of a battle on his hands for the jockeys' title with arch rival Richard Johnson only six behind.

Reigning Gold Cup hero Looks Like Trouble reappears at Down Royal on 11 November in a spectacular clash with Irish darling Florida Pearl, ultimately aiming to become the first horse since L'Escargot in 1971 to retain his Cheltenham crown. First, dual King George victor See More Business states his case at Wetherby this Saturday.

But there are many fences and hurdles to be jumped between now and the Festival - many targets, touches and triumphs to be celebrated in their own right. From Gold Cup dark sorts to handicappers poised to run up a sequence, here are 12 horses to follow.

Don't dare mention the Derby when there's proper racing at hand.