Your guide to the Tote 10 to Follow Competition – Jumps 2020/21
Your guide to the Tote 10 to Follow Competition – Jumps 2020/21
As at 29 November, the leader of the Jumps 2020/21 competition, which attracted 37,951 stables, has 231.34 points. The Racing Hub Stable points are down the page.
How to play the Tote 10 to Follow competition
With the Ten to Follow you select a stable of ten horses from a list of 500 to represent you during the season. Each stable will cost £5 to enter and you can play as many times as you wish.
There are three Leagues with big prizes and a 0% takeout by the Tote:
- A main League with a £5 entry where the size of the top prize is dependent on the number of entries – 70% of the pool will go to the winner with 30% distributed between 2nd to 100th place
- A Free-to-Play League with a £5,000 top prize (each person who enters can take part in the free-to-play league)
- A Charity League with a £5,000 top prize
The deadline for entries is 11am Saturday 14 November 2020, and you can change your entries however many times you like until that date. A transfer window will be available between 10-14 March when two substitutions can be made.
The competition runs from 11am 14 November to 11.59am to 11.59pm 24 April.
Racing Hub Stables
Doug Campbell 109.44
- Andy Dufresne
- Ballyadam 27.42
- Burrows Saint
- Chacun Por Soi
- Cyrname
- Easysland
- Envoi Allen 26.10
- Epatante 27.40
- Honeysuckle 27.42
- McFabulous 1.10
Gary McKenzie 65.42
- Abacadabras 28.42
- Allaho
- Allmankind
- Chacun Pour Soi
- Chantry House 11.20
- Easysland
- Lostintranslation
- Real Steel
- Saldier
- Thyme Hill 25.80
Gary Sears 65.04
- Allaho
- Bob Olinger 1.02
- Caribean Boy 23.30
- Eklat De Rire
- Honeysuckle 27.42
- Lamanver Pippin 2.20
- Lostintranslation
- Marie’s Rock
- Saint Sonnet
- Shiskin 11.10
Number Cruncher 126.62
- Altior
- Envoi Allen 26.10
- Epatante 27.40
- Greaneteen
- Honeysuckle 27.42
- Lostintranslation
- Minella Indo 21.10
- Saint Roi 1.10
- Shiskin 11.10
- The Big Breakaway 12.40
Racing Hub Verdict 96.14
- Appreciate It 12.12
- Bob Olinger 1.02
- Chantry House 11.20
- Envoi Allen 26.10
- Goshen
- Minella Indo 21.10
- Saint Roi 1.10
- Shishkin 11.10
- The Big Breakaway 12.40
- The Big Getaway
Whistlejacket 67.50
- Al Bourn Photo
- Champ
- Cyrname
- Defi Du Seuil
- Envoi Allen 26.10
- Epatante 27.40
- Lostintranslation
- Paisley Park 1.60
- Santini
- The Big Breakaway 12.10
How the prizes work
There is a guaranteed £150k prize fund and the more people who play, the bigger prizes:
The points system
| Position | % | If pool is £150k | If pool is £500k |
| 1st | 70.00% | £77,000 | £322,000 |
| 2nd | 10.00% | £11,000 | £46,600 |
| 3rd | 4.00% | £4,400 | £18,400 |
| 4th | 2.50% | £2,750 | £11,500 |
| 5th | 1.50% | £1,650 | £6,900 |
| 6th | 1.00% | £1,100 | £4,600 |
| 7th | 0.90% | £990 | £4,140 |
| 8th | 0.80% | £880 | £3,680 |
| 9th | 0.70% | £770 | £3,220 |
| 10th | 0.60% | £660 | £2,760 |
| 11th-20th | 0.50% | £550 | £2,300 |
| 21st-30th | 0.15% | £165 | £690 |
| 31st-40th | 0.06% | £66 | £276 |
| 41st-50th | 0.04% | £44 | £184 |
| 51st-100th | 0.01% | £11 | £46 |
Monthly prizes – as well as an overall prize, there will also be £10k prizes for the stables that accumulate the most points in the months December to March inclusive.
Points can be scored in all races run under jump racing rules in the UK and Ireland in the period the competition is active (11am 16 June 2020 to 10pm 17 October 2020).
Horses score points by winning and being placed in races taking place during the competition. The score is based on a combination of points based on the grade of the race and the tote dividend of your successful selection.
You score more points the better the grade of race, and there are 25-bonus races where bonus points are scored.
Points are awarded as follows:
- Grade 1 win – 25 points
- Grade 2 win – 20 points
- Grade 3 win – 15 points
- Listed win – 12 points
- Any other race win – 10 points
An additional 25 points are awarded to winners, and 12 points are awarded to the runners-up in the 25 bonus races. Points will also be awarded based on the returns to a £1 each-way bet on the Tote in each race a horse runs in. Example: £1 win at 5.50 + £1 place at 1.20 = 6.70 points awarded.
The bonus races are:
- Betfair Chase (Haydock)
- Ladbrokes Trophy (Newbury)
- Tingle Creek (Sandown),
- King George VI (Kempton),
- Welsh Grand National (Chepstow),
- Savills Chase (Leopardstown)
- Irish Champion Hurdle (Leopardstown),
- Irish Gold Cup (Leopardstown)
- Betfair Hurdle (Newbury)
- Arkle (Cheltenham)
- Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham)
- Queen Mother Champion Chase (Cheltenham)
- Grade 1 3m Nov Chase (formerly the RSA Chase) (Cheltenham)
- Stayers Hurdle (Cheltenham),
- Ryanair Chase (Cheltenham)
- County Hurdle (Cheltenham)
- Gold Cup (Cheltenham)
- Betway Bowl (Aintree)
- Aintree Hurdle (Aintree)
- Melling Chase (Aintree)
- Liverpool Stayers Hurdle (Aintree)
- Grand National (Aintree)
- Irish Grand National (Fairyhouse)
- Scottish Grand National (Ayr)
- bet365 Gold Cup (Sandown)
Further details about Tote Ten to Follow, including the list of eligible horses can be found at www.tote.co.uk/ten-to-follow
Racing Hub Horses to Follow Jumps 2020/21 included in the Tote Ten to Follow competition
Al Dancer
Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies
Didn’t manage to win again after making a winning chasing debut at Cheltenham in October but generally performed with credit in top company and the key to him could be a step up in trip – regularly shaped as though 2 1/2 miles will suit. If that’s the case something like the BetVictor Gold Cup could be an early season target
Gary Sears
Allaho
Willie Mullins
Top class form in three novice chases last season, running a tremendous race in the RSA Chase at the festival. Think he might be best at short of 3 miles so the Ryanair hopefully the target. Sires horses equally as good on decent ground so that could bring about further improvement
Gary Sears
Allart
Nicky Henderson
Hacked up in a couple of novice hurdles before running really well behind Shishkin at the festival. Have to wait for a stable tour to see whether he stays over hurdles or go chasing (would guess more likely the former given his inexperience) but is an exciting prospect whichever route is taken.
Gary Sears
Annie Mc
Jonjo O’Neill
Took well to fences last season, rattling off a three timer in small fields at Wincanton – Wetherby and Bangor, before finishing down the field behind Samcro and alike in the Marsh Novices Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. In fairness to her the Cheltenham race looked a pretty hot contest, and she was probably biting off more than she could chew.
She should however continue to pay her way over the winter months in the new season, with more opportunities now for the fairer sex. Annie Mc is a likeable mare who stays two and a half miles well, but is yet to prove conclusively that she stays much further and is ideally served with the word “soft” appearing in the going description.
Doug Campbell
Ask For Glory
Paul Nicholls
Ask For Glory is very lightly raced under rules with just the four outings, plus a winning appearance in a 4yo Maidens Point in Ireland back in the Spring of 2018. He won a Chepstow bumper on his debut for Nicholls with any amount in hand by thirteen lengths from Imperial Esprit and Fanancier, before being pitched in at the deep end in the Champion Bumper at the festival of 2019 – finishing only ninth behind Envoi Allen. Ask For Glory then had wind surgery in the Summer of last year, before returning to action over hurdles in November finishing fourth of sixteen beaten around four and a half lengths behind Son Of Camas at Newbury.
That outing was over an extended two miles, and it was evident that his future was to be over further. It proved to be the case, when on his only other start Ask For Glory trotted up over two miles five and a half furlongs at Wincanton beating six ordinary looking rivals without hardly coming off the bridle. There will be plenty more to come from him, including improvement in his jumping and I am sure his trainer is greatly looking forward to him during the course of the new season. He will jump fences one day, and given that he will be seven in the New Year the temptation must surely be there to make it sooner rather than later, despite his inexperience. Whatever the decision I am sure that this £280k purchase will continue to add to his tally.
Doug Campbell
Bob Olinger
Henry De Bromhead
Very impressive when winning his bumper at Gowran after which his normally quite reserved trainer was talking about Punchestown and Aintree. Think we can take it he is well regarded and no surprise if he is up to contesting the top novice hurdles
Gary Sears
Captain Guinness
Henry De Bromhead
Still going strongly when brought down in the Supreme after settling much better than he had previously. Given his stable’s modus operandi quite likely to go novice chasing and could be an exciting proposition.
Gary Sears
Caribean Boy
Nicky Henderson
Impressive when winning at Haydock in February off 138, jumping really well and a 6lb rise looks lenient. That was only his second start in this country so hopefully plenty more to come and potentially better than a handicapper.
Gary Sears
Diol Ker
Noel Meade
Lightly raced under rules, with just the four starts. Diol Ker made his racecourse debut when finishing 20 lengths fifth to Envoi Allen in a Fairyhouse Bumper back in December 2018. His three outings since over timber in Maiden company has seen him reach a pretty decent standard, with his win (again at Fairyhouse) over 2m4f from the subsequent Albert Bartlett winner Monkfish earning him an official rating of 143. There were seven lengths back to Monkfish that day, and the runner up was comfortably held – so it was probably value for more, so considering Monkfish has progressed to a rating of 152 Diol Ker must have plenty going for him as we go forward.
He is highly regarded by his trainer, and it is easy to see why, with a campaign over fences beckoning this season. He looks every inch a chaser in the making, and if he can transfer that undoubted talent to the larger obstacles then he should have every chance of making his mark. I have no doubts that he will stay at least three miles, and at the time of writing he is a top price of 20/1 for the RSA Chase next March. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to think that he can develop in to one of the leading Irish contenders for that race.
Doug Campbell
Eklat De Rire
Henry De Bromhead
Jumped beautifully when winning at Thurles in March on only his second start looking every inch a top-class prospect. Another from this stable with the option of staying hurdling or going chasing but whatever, well worth following.
Gary Sears
Fiston Des Issards
Gordon Elliott
Has a proper French NH pedigree, being by the sire responsible for the two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo – out of an unraced dam whose own sire is the top-class producer Robin Des Champs (Vautour, Quevega, Sir Des Champs, etc). Fiston Des Issards created a very good impression on his sole outing to date when winning a Maiden Point to Point for four-year-olds at Loughanmore, beating Boothill (went on to win a Kempton Bumper on his UK debut) by three-and-a half-lengths. Fiston Des Issards travelled well and took the lead with around seven to jump, and despite running a little green at times always looked the better horse, staying on well from the last to go clear.
It was no great surprise to find him at the Cheltenham Sales just a few weeks later in November, where he created plenty of interest in the ring, with the eventual winning bid coming in at £255k -a fantastic return for connections who had paid just £28k at the Doncaster (stores) Sales just 18 months earlier. It’s a safe bet that Fiston Des Issards can be found winning opportunities in Bumpers, and he should do well in that area, while there is undoubtedly heaps of potential there when faced with obstacles to jump. In time he should be suited to three miles, but there are plenty of races to be won before we get to that stage.
Doug Campbell
Forged In Fire
Joseph O’Brien
Joseph O’Brien is no longer just the ‘ex-jockey‘ and son of Aiden, but a fully established trainer in his own right and has been for some time now, and a darn good trainer too. With Forged In Fire he has a horse at this stage which is chock full of promise, whose only performance to date saw him beat none other than Ferny Hollow in a Leopardstown Bumper in late December. Those that finished behind that pair are yet to prove up to much, but the first two home that day appear to have a very bright future. Forged In Fire may well need plenty of time before we see him peak, he is a very late (mid-June) foal, and while his debut came just a few days before his ‘official‘ fifth birthday – in real terms he was six months behind age wise. It may have been a wise decision taken that we didn’t see him in action again last season, and a Summer behind him will do him the world of good.
He is a half-brother to the ill-fated three times winner Rhaegar, and a full brother to Stellar Notion who has won six races in total, both of whom stayed three miles. It may be a bit of a softly softly approach this season with Forged In Fire, but it will come as a surprise if he doesn’t find his way to the winners enclosure again, and will no doubt be placed to the best of his ability. Potentially smart.
Doug Campbell
Hoi Polloi
Emma Lavelle
A strong looking son of Shantou, out of a three times winning King’s Theatre mare. Hoi Polloi took a Kempton bumper back in February on his only start to date, despite not gaining the clearest of passages in the final couple of furlongs. winning with more in hand than the two and a half lengths margin from Diamond River suggest. Hoi Polloi has the makings of a novice hurdler and is in good hands to have his potential developed. He’s a half-brother to the useful Eyes Of A Tiger, who was twice a winner over timber – and has also won twice over the larger obstacles.
It’s difficult at this stage to know for sure what sort of level he can reach, but one would hope that he will be above average. I would imagine that trips up to two and a half miles would be his optimum at this stage, and he showed a nice turn of foot at Kempton which will hopefully stand him in good stead in the future. I’m looking forward to seeing him return to action.
Doug Campbell
King Roland
Harry Fry
Very well regarded, didn’t get the greatest of rides at Cheltenham on Trials Day, making ground too very quickly to hit the front turning for home but still keeping on when headed. Whether staying hurdling or going chasing has the makings of a top-class horse
Gary Sears
Lamanver Pippin
Colin Tizzard
Impressive at Chepstow in November, suffered a setback and not seen again until running with credit in the NH Chase where he probably wasn’t quite at his best. Said to relish soft ground, should be plenty of opportunities for him in long distance chases with the Welsh Grand National an obvious target.
Gary Sears
Lieutenant Rocco
Colin Tizzard
Can ignore his run at Cheltenham when the stables horses were out of form but had previously looked very promising. Likely to go chasing and having plenty of scope, just the sort to do really well.
Gary Sears
Marie’s Rock
Nicky Henderson
Quickened really smartly to win a listed hurdle at Taunton but a setback meant she missed the festival. With the enhanced programme for mares will be plenty of opportunities for her if coming back sound though slight doubt about her getting 2 1/2 miles.
Gary Sears
Mossy Fen
Nigel Twiston-Davies
Progressed well over hurdles last term, winning three from five including a five runner Grade 2 contest at Warwick in January. That win was enough for his trainer to give him an entry in the Ballymore Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Starting at 33/1 he didn’t disgrace himself, finishing fifth of the twelve runners – beaten around 23 lengths behind the very classy Envoi Allen, but in all honesty, everything played second fiddle to that particular horse on the day.
Mossy Fen has plenty of time on his hands, and I think a switch to the larger obstacles would benefit him more than staying over hurdles for another season. Two and a half miles is an absolute minimum requirement for him and he should have no trouble staying three miles plus (has already a win over 2m 7f to his credit), he also goes particularly well on Soft going. More success surely awaits.
Doug Campbell
Night Edition
David Pipe
The Pipe family have traditionally done well with a lot of their French imports over the years. Night Edition is another ex-French trained to make it to Pond House. Looking in need of his UK debut in December, Night Edition ran a fair race to be fourth at Taunton behind Blacko ( a winner again next time out ), and then showed steady improvement in three further runs, winning a maiden hurdle at Ludlow on his third start – before a very good second in the Boodles sponsored Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham, beaten a length by the Gordon Elliott trained Aramix.
Night Edition is an attractive, athletic sort who appears best served by Soft conditions, and will hopefully continue to pay his way, he travels well during his races and doesn’t mind having to battle – his last three starts have seen no more than a length separate himself from his nearest rival. He will start the season from a mark of 137 over hurdles.
Doug Campbell
Pileon
Philip Hobbs
Travels strongly and ran a fine race at the festival, just getting touched off in the Martin Pipe. Only went up 5lb for that so may stick to hurdling with the Silver Trophy at Chepstow a likely target. Alternatively, could go novice chasing where he should do well.
Gary Sears
Robin De Carlow
Willie Mullins
A really likeable mare with smart form over both Hurdles and Fences, although in fairness is a bit below top grade. That said she has been well placed by her trainer, and has a good win to run ratio, successful in four from eight over timber and three from five over fences. She was last seen back in October 2019 at Tipperary when taking a Grade 3 Novices Chase by half a length from Put The Kettle On – who made giant strides in two starts at Cheltenham following the Tipperary run, winning the four runner Arkle Trial in November, and then the Arkle Trophy itself at the Festival, causing a 16/1 surprise in the process. Put The Kettle on is now rated as high as 155 over fences, so possibly the mark of Robin De Carlow is a little lenient at 138.
I’m not sure why Robin De Carlow didn’t race after October, but hopefully she can return to action fit and well. She has won on Heavy Going, but is a good moving type that is probably better suited to Good underfoot conditions. The obvious long-term aim would be the Mares Chase at Cheltenham in March, and it would be nice to think that she could develop into a candidate for that contest – for which she is a general 20/1 chance at the time of writing. Robin De Carlow has won over as far as three miles over Hurdles, but is probably better over shorter, and it is interesting to note that she has won following an absence of 50, 51 and 53 days over the course of the last three seasons.
Doug Campbell
Run Wild Fred
Gordon Elliott
Hasn’t been overly raced to date, with four starts in Bumpers and the same over Hurdles, winning twice and a third place in both spheres. Run Wild Fred produced a career best performance at Punchestown in February, when taking a Grade 3 contest over three miles, beating Lord Royal – a smart prospect of Willie Mullins’s by a shade under two lengths, the runner up had won his Maiden on his previous outing by a yawning margin of 33 lengths, so the form looks fairly solid.
Run Wild Fred was raised to a mark of 144 following that victory, so I would imagine that a career over fences beckons – rather than staying over the smaller obstacles. He stays well and acts of just about any types of going, although I doubt he would be risked on anything quicker than going described as officially ‘good‘. May well be the sort to run up a sequence in none too demanding company, before being tested in a higher grade. His trainer could well have a few more classier types to aim at the likes of the Marsh Novices Chase and the RSA Chase at the Festival, but it wouldn’t be the biggest of surprises if ‘ Fred ‘ turned up for a crack at something like the National Hunt Chase next March, for which he is quoted at a top price of 20/1 in places at the time of writing.
Doug Campbell
Saint Sonnet
Paul Nicholls
Was fast tracked straight into the Marsh Chase on second start in this country and performed with great promise, travelling strongly for a long way. Obviously well regarded, he could go right to the top this season.
Gary Sears
Sir Psycho
Paul Nicholls
Progressed nicely as a Juvenile last season, winning three times from six starts, improving his rating from an opening mark of 117 to one some thirty pounds higher by the time of the Cheltenham Festival, in which he ran a very respectable fifth in the Triumph Hurdle – beaten under five lengths behind the Willie Mullins trained filly Burning Victory. Looking back, it’s hard to believe that he got beaten in his first Handicap, but Sir Psycho clearly improved with experience during the second half of the season.
His 31 lengths annihilation of Bullionaire at Exeter on New Year’s Day over 2m1f indicated that he should have no trouble staying two and a half miles, and while he may not be top class – there should still be some nice prizes to be won with him. He appears to act on any going, he’s thoroughly genuine and he has won for three different jockeys already (Harry Cobden – Bryony Frost and conditional rider Bryan Carver). Hopefully he will prove worth following again over the winter months.
Doug Campbell
The Big Breakaway
Colin Tizzard
Another to retain his place in the fifty from last season. The Big Breakaway created a good impression on his first two starts over hurdles, winning his maiden at Chepstow over two miles three and a half furlongs in November by eight lengths from Blackjack Kentucky, before taking an EBF Novices event the following month at Newbury over a furlong further by seven lengths from Papa Tango Charly. Those two performances prompted his name to go into many notebooks for one of the Novices Hurdles at Cheltenham. As it happened, he lined up for the Ballymore, won by the unbeaten Envoi Allen, it was a clean sweep for the Irish with Envoi Allen’s stablemate Easywork finishing just over four lengths back in second, and the Willie Mullins trained The Big Getaway a further three-and three-quarter lengths back in third.
The Big Breakaway ran fourth beaten a total of fourteen and a half lengths. Hardly disgraced as the winner is absolutely top class, but slightly disappointing nonetheless – even taking into account that the stable’s runners appeared somewhat flat at the meeting. The Big Breakaway remains a very promising individual, he’s very lightly raced under rules with just the three runs – he also won a 4yo Maiden Point in Ireland in the Spring of 2019. Just like his half-brother Kildisart he should jump fences one day but whatever route connections decide to take this season he should add further to his winning tally, he should also stay three miles.
Doug Campbell
The Wolf
Olly Murphy
Showed some ability for Warren Greatrex back in the 2018/19 season, and improved last season for current trainer Olly Murphy to win twice over hurdles – at Fakenham over 2m 4f and at Newcastle over a couple of furlongs further. The Wolf was also runner up in a fair Handicap at Newbury in Late December beaten a shade under two lengths behind Dorking Boy. He also ran a respectable race for a 100/1 chance when upped in Grade to contest the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle over three miles at Cheltenham in March, finishing seventh of the nineteen runners beaten some eighteen and a half lengths behind the winner Monkfish.
Now rated 136 over hurdles, a mark which I feel he would still be competitive from in staying Handicaps over the smaller obstacles, but he is also at the stage where I think is right to be tried in Novice company over fences. Should be winning again soon, whatever decision is taken by connections.
Doug Campbell
Third Time Lucki
Dan Skelton
Collected bumpers at Market Rasen and Huntingdon following a promising third at Ascot on his debut at the start of November. However, he bettered those efforts on his final start with a solid fourth placing behind Ferny Hollow in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, beaten a total of six lengths. He is by the high-class German bred sire Arcadio, out of an unraced mare by Definite Article.
Third Time Lucki is a smooth travelling sort, and his two wins to date were carried out in quite a professional manner – which is not always the case for such inexperienced types. He acts well on soft underfoot conditions, and should be placed to good effect over the winter. Third Time Lucki should also stay further than the minimum trip with a little more experience behind him.
Doug Campbell
Third Wind
Hughie Morrison
Another son of Shirocco to make the list, and trained by someone better known as a trainer on the flat. However, Morrison’s National Hunt runners need to be given serious consideration with a five-year strike rate of around 21% based on 103 runners in that period. His bumper runners alone have produced 7 winners from 27 starters for a very respectable 26% at the time of writing.
Third Wind provided his handler with three successes during 2019 at odds of 9/1 11/2 and 1/2 and also ran a very credible fourth behind Sire De Berlais in The Pertemps Final back in March of this year. Whether he stays over hurdles remains to be seen, his one attempt over fences in the early stages of last season was inconclusive when well beaten behind Deyrann De Carjac, but he will at least retain his Novice status. A likeable sort that should continue to pay his way.
Doug Campbell
Thyme Hill
Philip Hobbs
Thyme Hill progressed very nicely over hurdles last term, winning three on the spin between October and December – including the Grade One Challow Hurdle at Newbury, getting the better of the Nicky Henderson trained The Cashel Man by a length and a half. Cheltenham in March was then the obvious target after that, and connections chose to rest him until then – with a choice of either the Ballymore Novices Hurdle over 2m 5f or the Albert Bartlett over 3m. The latter named contest turned out to be where he lined up, no surprise really after Envoi Allen was confirmed for the Ballymore.
Thyme Hill ran very well, but came off worst in a four-horse war up that famous hill – and was beaten only a length and a half in total. It was also noted that he got short of room three out and didn’t have the clearest of runs having jumped the last, I don’t think it cost him the race however and there are positives to take out of it. Monkfish, Latest Exhibition and Fury Road the first three home are all solid performers. Looking forward I imagine we will see Thyme Hill over fences this season, he’s very genuine, he stays well and he is far from ground dependent. All good attributes to have for the new season.
Doug Campbell
Tornado Flyer
Willie Mullins
Performed with credit last season but looked in need of a step up to 3 miles so assuming he is given the chance could show a fair bit of improvement. Looks on a fair mark so maybe go for a decent handicap. possibly the Ladbroke at Newbury before going back up in class.
Gary Sears
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.
