Gary McKenzie’s 10 for the jumps 2020/21
Gary McKenzie goes through his choices for the Tote 10 to Follow Jumps 2020/21 competition
I am sure Envoi Allen will be among the top picks for the jumps 2020/21 season’s competition as he looks a real superstar. Al Boum Photo, Cyrname, and Epatante are also likely to have plenty of supporters. So obviously I am going to leave them out of my squad.
I will start with the staying chasers. LOSTINTRANSLATION was a very good third in the Gold Cup and had won the Betfair Chase before that. I love the way he travels through his races and it is not impossible that he goes two places better at Cheltenham.
I am putting ALLAHO in as he could be a lively outsider for the Gold Cup but he could be a force in the Ryanair Chase. He was third in the RSA but he has enough pace for the intermediate distance.
Impressive
My Champion Chase hope is CHACUN POUR SOI. He has only had four runs for Willie Mullins in nearly four years but has just the one defeat on his CV when being beaten by the very talented A Plus Tard. His win over Min in the Dublin Chase was very impressive.
REAL STEEL ran mostly around two and a half miles but had his first run over three miles when finishing sixth in the Gold Cup. That was a good run but whether he truly got the trip is questionable. He has been moved from Willie Mullins to Paul Nicholls and has an entry in the King George. I like him.
Onto the hurdlers and despite losing on his seasonal reappearance I have not lost faith in ABACADABRAS. He was expected to beat Aspire Tower but hopefully he will come on for the run. He is set to go in the Morgiana Hurdle next.
The horse who won that race last year, and bids to defend his title, is SALDIER. He missed Cheltenham this year but was being readied for Punchestown when Covid struck. I am hoping both horses run well this weekend.
Very unlucky
THYME HILL was very unlucky in the Albert Bartlet when he was denied a clear run twice. Whether he would have won is hard to say. But with the three horses ahead of him that day looking to be going chasing he looks to be the top second season staying hurdler. Obviously if Paisley Park turns up in the form of 2019 then we could all be playing for places.
I am going to stick in a couple of novice chasers. Triumph Hurdle third ALLMANKIND was going to be one of my hurdlers but he was beaten on his senior bow. But last week he was put over fences and won easily so I now can’t leave him out.
CHANTRY HOUSE was third in what looked a top quality Supreme and that was only his fourth run. He looks to have the right credentials for mid distance novice chases.
Finally I am picking a Grand National horse very early. EASYSLAND has won his last seven races including the wide margin win in the cross country at Cheltenham. He will go there again but the ultimate aim is Aintree.
They should all give me some fun this season and maybe, just maybe, some financial reward.
Good Luck All
♦ Your guide to the Tote 10 to Follow Jumps 2020/21 competition including how to pay, point scoring, bonus races, Racing Hub stables and horses to follow http://wp.me/p8e3Dl-42k
