A lopsided Tote 10 to Follow stable
Gary McKenzie selects the horses for his lopsided stable in Tote 10 to Follow Jumps competition
The jumps fantasy racing game is easier in some ways as we have seen most of these horses for at least two seasons. And as you know I am very loyal, stupidly at times, to those that have been good to me in the past.
So the first three on my list were always going to be ALLAHO, THYME HILL, and ALLMANKIND.
Allaho was a brilliant winner of the Ryanair Chase last term. I hope he takes in the King George although his trainer is looking at shorter trips.
Thyme Hill disappointed in France last time but I am hoping that was a blip. The ground was seen as an issue.
Allmankind has one way of running and he was bold and brave at Aintree when winning the Old Roan. He will be raced sparingly so it is a risk to pick him. He may need a 100% win record.
I have gone for the first two in last years Gold Cup. I have already backed A PLUS TARD for the race and I don’t think MINELLA INDO will be too far away if he runs to last years form.
Taken a chance
I have taken a chance with just one Champion Hurdle hope. But she is the title holder. HONEYSUCKLE was so good last season but I think she will have stiffer competition this time if the star novices contest the big hurdle races.
CHACUN POUR SOI has just the one chase defeat in Ireland and that was behind A Plus Tard. He was five lengths too good for Allaho at Punchestown and also had Nube Negra behind that day.
I have also put in ENEGURMENE as a two miler although he could go down the intermediate route.
My final two are novice chasers (hopefully). BRAVEMANSGAME was compared to Denman by more than one expert and despite being a decent hurdler it is chasing that should see him at his best. He has already beaten a few seasoned chasers and he should be close in any novice chases.
The last one is a bit of a risk. FERNY HOLLOW won the Cheltenham Bumper in 2020 from Appreciate It. His only run over hurdles was a win over Bob Olinger (and we know how good he is).
That was over a year ago. I hope Ferny Hollow goes for the Marsh Chase as I am on at decent prices. But if he has developed the way the other two named horses have then he could be special.
It is a lopsided list with just two certain to run over hurdles but I think I will have an interest in most of the big races.
Good Luck All
