This will be the 40th anniversary of the Dark Horses Annual, first published back in 1976. The long-standing loyalty of clients is founded on an assurance that through the medium of the Dark Horses Annuals, both Flat and jumps, Marten provides readers with insights and observations that are not generally available in the public domain.

Marten founded his business back in 1972, coming to the public’s wider attention in 1979 when he was invited to work alongside Brough Scott on the Sunday Times. The outcome of that partnership was the popular ‘Warm Up’ column, since when he has worked with numerous publications including the Racing Post.

This latest Dark Horses Jumps Guide is packed with the regular features including:

Marten’s Premier List – horses of special interest that Marten hopes will reward followers with a profit to level stakes

Marten’s Dark Horses – unexposed, unraced and imported horses, most of them relatively unknown in the public domain

The Gold Cup Preview – Marten’s in-depth preview of jump racing’s most prestigious prize. Last year’s preview selected Gold Cup winner Don Cossack at 8/1 (Won 9/4)

The Champion Hurdle Preview – Marten’s in-depth preview of the season’s top hurdling prize. Last year’s preview advised Nichols Canyon each-way at 16/1 (3rd 15/2)

Jodie Standing’s Point-to-Pointers – Jodie has worked through the pick of the imports and unearthed some gems from last season’s Irish point-to-point field