We've picked out ten tips for your Ten To Follow stable.
Ten to Follow is back, and National Hunt followers have welcomed it warmly. The concept is simple: pick ten horses for the duration of the Jumps season and score points every time they win races, with certain big pots earning more points and so on. You can read more about that in our Ten to Follow guide here.
In the spirit of things, fantasy fanatic and National Hunt fan Alex Keating has picked out our very own ‘Oddschecker Ten to Follow’ to consider for your stable team this season. To set up your own stable and be in with a chance of winning a minimum of £250k, you can sign up here. Each stable costs £5 to enter.
The biggest trouble with pinning this article on Ten to Follow is that you’re limited to only ten. It sounds like a lot, but with over 500 horses to choose from, points and bonus races to weigh up, paths to the Festival up in the air and multiple disciplines, distances and entries across the UK and Ireland, there is plenty to think about. Primarily this is a challenge as it leaves you excluding some fine horses who are sure to win races this season; but I suppose picking and choosing is exactly the essence of the game.
Don’t be surprised then, to see last season’s leading stayer Paisley Park omitted from my list, who will run on the Friday before points start tallying and I reckon only twice again before the Festival, taking in only a Grade 1 at Ascot and a Grade 2 in January – that is of course assuming he has retained his ability. Champ is another horse I like but am going to exclude here, with his 2 runs and 74 day break before Cheltenham last year a major worry, though I do love his chance in the RSA and can see him as a major March transfer target for my stable.
As you will see across my list, I’ll be relying on the luck of the Irish, with Christmas at Leopardstown and the Dublin Racing Festival providing a plethora of Grade 1 action for horses likely to be in the mix come March and April. I have chosen not to play with fire in the Ladbrokes Trophy and Welsh National Bonus Races, though I imagine the winner might have too. Instead, these horses should give a good account of themselves across the season and hopefully rack up plenty of Grade 1s.
Buveur D’Air
Dual Champion Hurdler who is probably still the underrated horse of the 2020 Champion Hurdle market given he has proved his class numerous times and this looks a potentially weak renewal. Has a lovely Ten to Follow profile given the two grade 1s he can pick up between now and the new year on the way to Prestbury Park. Nicky Henderson’s star hurdler starts his season on Saturday in the Fighting Fifth where I predict Barry Geraghty to get us off to a flyer. I like his Champion Hurdle credentials too, and is a certain intended runner for a vital bonus race.
Chacun Pour Soi
Willie Mullins is remarkably yet to win the Champion Chase, though this French import may provide an end to this dismal run. Chacun Pour Soi has been constantly nibbled at for the Wednesday Festival Feature since putting the talented Defi Du Seuil to the sword by over 4 lengths at the Punchestown Festival. Although that form can be muddled after a tough Cheltenham, it looks red hot with the Arkle and JLT winners in behind and I think this son of Policy Maker could lay down the law to Altior come March. He has multiple Grade 1 entries across the busy Christmas period and will need to prove himself in this grade if he is going to live up to his billing.
Lostintranslation
It hasn’t gone unnoticed that Colin Tizzard has another superstar chaser on his hands, and with a Betfair Chase already under his belt, this horse has a huge chance going into the King George and Gold Cup come March. No horse has completed the Jockey Club Triple Crown since the mighty Kauto Star, but given his involvement in these bonus contests is almost guaranteed, this highly exciting prospect will be on the top of many lists and is mighty hard to exclude.
Defi Du Seuil
Defi Du Seuil looked hardier than ever when putting a worthy marker in Politologue away at Cheltenham on his return, and with his form tying in with the Gold Cup favourite Lostintranslation, he has the world at his feet over 2m or 2m4f this season. Defi is a worthy favourite for the Tingle Creek, which I think he can take en route to numerous successes before the Festival. The JLT was Defi’s 5th run last season so I’m of the belief he’d like to be kept busy between now and March. He looks an ideal candidate for my stable.
Laurina
A huge ‘hype horse’ last season who finished too bad to be true in the Champion Hurdle after moving beautifully into contention, Laurina made a welcome return to the track over fences and quickly shot to Arkle favouritism. With the highly regarded Albert Bartlett and Punchestown winner Minella Indo comfortably in behind, this was a striking debut over the larger obstacles and I’m firmly of the belief this mare is going places this season. Laurina will need to gain some more experience over fences before the Arkle, and can take in a few novice chases en route to this bonus contest to provide Sullivan Bloodstock with back to back winners in the race.
Saldier
Saldier was workmanlike, yet mighty impressive when beating last season’s Supreme winner and former Champion Hurdle favourite Klassical Dream on seasonal reappearance and in doing so put himself right in the mix for the Festival’s Tuesday feature. He will need to take in a few major contests including potentially the bonus Irish Champion Hurdle if he is to prove himself worthy of the step up and I think he is well capable. Needless to say we have seen a few good ones from this stable and in these silks before.
Honeysuckle
Henry De Bromhead’s unbeaten mare will put her credentials on the line on the opening Sunday of the competition in the Hatton’s Grace where she takes on Benie Des Dieux. I’m confident last season’s long term Mares Novice Favourite can take this Grade 1 contest and move onto better things this season after missing Cheltenham with a small issue. Having missed the Festival, I think Honeysuckle could be a slightly forgotten horse and I’m really excited about what she can achieve over obstacles this season – an exciting stable differential.
Envoi Allen
The first name on my teamsheet was Envoi Allen. The Champion Bumper form is absolutely smoking hot, and Gordon Elliott’s stable star made no mistake on his return at Down Royal either. This horse rightly leads the betting for both the Supreme and Ballymore at time of writing, and although plying his trade over 2m so far this season, including in the Gr1 Royal Bond where he is an even money favourite at time of writing, I think this horse will end up over 2m4f come Cheltenham. Gordon Elliott has already said that this son of Muhtathir would enjoy the step up in trip from a pace perspective and having bolted up over this distance in his point to point, I have no doubt in his credentials. I have him to go unbeaten this season.
Samcro
After disappointing last season, Samcro made a highly pleasing return to the track over fences this month and I’m willing to take a chance that he is back to his Festival winning best. He was bought to be a chaser and looks just that, with Keith Donoghue remarking ‘he came to life’ after his seasonal return. Samcro must put away the talented Fakir D’Oudairies in the Grade 1 Drinmore on the opening weekend, and if he does, I’m certain he’ll have another huge season en route to the JLT or RSA come March. Needless to say, you won’t win this game without taking a few risks.
Andy Dufresne
Andy Dufresne travelled like a jumbo jet on his return at Navan, with his slick jumping and travelling speed both notable qualities to his performance. I’m amazed at quotes of 20/1 for the Supreme at time of writing, as although he has been taking in contests over further, murmurings from Elliott’s County Meath stable suggest that the shorter distance is where he will end up. Furthermore, I’d be hugely surprised if they chose to take on their own in Envoi Allen this season, whilst Dufresne’s pacey hurdling had all the markings of a Supreme winner. JP has another good one here.
To set up your stable for only £5 and be in with a chance to win a minimum of £250k, visit the Ten to Follow site here.
