Bristol De Mai's brilliance jolts the hopes of expectant Ten To Follow teams

The first bonus race of the Tote Ten to Follow jumps competition, the Betfair Chase, left plenty of entrants disappointed as two of the most selected horses in the contest for the £190,000 pool, Lostintranslation and Clan Des Obeaux, failed to collect in a race that looked tailor-made to give one of them a winning start to the season.

Unfortunately for their fans there was one rival even better suited to the 3m1½f contest at Haydock on heavy ground and that was race specialist Bristol De Mai, who obliged for 1,504 stables, giving them 54.20 points and leaving the 46 per cent of entrants who included Lostintranslation in their teams and the 28 per cent who picked Clan Des Obeaux, scratching their heads.

Bristol De Mai now sits at the top of the points list and may have a big say in more bonus races later in the season.

Main Fact’s incredible performance in the Betfair Exchange Stayers' Handicap Hurdle for his ninth win on the trot earned 26.40 points for 460 stables and there is a possibility that he could progress into a Stayers’ Hurdle contender.

Minella Indo and Rachael Blackmore soar over the last fence at Navan on their way to victoryCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The most popular winner of the weekend was Minella Indo, whose easy win at Navan brought joy to 16,309 stables. They picked up 21.19 points and have the encouragement that Minella Indo will now head for three bonus races worth 150 points: the Savills Chase, the Irish Gold Cup and then the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Notebook's victory in the Grade 2 Poplar Square Chase at Naas on Saturday also promised much for the future and an immediate 24.60 points for 1,102 stables.

Imperial Aura at Ascot was the second most picked competition winner of the weekend, rewarding 3,946 followers with 22.30 points in the 1965 Chase. He has also put himself in line for Ryanair Chase bonus points.

His stablemate First Flow captured 15 points for 106 stables and Song For Someone's Grade 2 Coral Hurdle landed 23.40 points for just 87 stables.

The team of Golden Miller 17 heads the leaderboard at this early stage as Bristol De Mai added to a host of winners the previous week.

LEADING HORSES

1. Bristol De Mai 54.20
2. Eldorado Allen 29.90
3. Abacadabras 28.42
4. Main Fact 26.40
5. Notebook 24.60
6. Duffle Coat 24.10
=7. Ramses De Teillee 23.60
=7. Felix Desjy 23.60
9. Song For Someone 23.40
10. Imperial Aura 22.30

LEADING TEAMS

1. Golden Miller17 165.44 points
2. Rubbish Mario Sisters 34 160.42
=3. God's Own 50 159.14
=3. Yalltari 890 159.14
5. NELZIG 30 156.52
6. Thebestisyettocome 155.82
7. Turner58 153.84
8. MerlotMan14 151.52
9. ROBERT WINCHCOLE001 150.42
10. Richard Hobson778 150.34

LEADING STABLE

Bristol De Mai 54.20 points
Abacadabras 28.42
Duffle Coat 24.10
Put The Kettle On 22.20
Fury Road 22.12
Letsbeclearaboutit 13.30
Saint Roi 1.10
Allaho 0
Defi Du Seuil 0
Epatante 0

More to read:

Abacadabras followers off to a flying start in pursuit of £190,000 Tote pot

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