Coolmore cheerleader Robbie Wilders picks his Tote Ten To Follow
I have long been labelled something of a Ballydoyle fanboy and four Aidan O'Brien-trained horses will form the spine of my team in the Tote Ten To Follow.
I was thoroughly impressed that Japan was able to capture the Juddmonte International so early in his career. A top-class colt with further improvement likely, he looks in pole position to claim valuable early points in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Delphinia is another Coolmore older horse I'm keen to keep onside. Her narrow second to Star Catcher in the Champion Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot in the autumn marked her down as a rapid improver. She is classy, durable and could exploit a favourable programme for older fillies.
Of O’Brien’s three-year-old colts, I was interested in Innisfree but he has suffered a minor setback, therefore Beresford Stakes winner and Japan’s brother Mogul is selected.
Moyglare heroine Love was another classy juvenile and should be in the mix for Classic laurels. She has a similar profile to last season’s dual Guineas winner Hermosa.
I won’t be forgetting the exploits of the Dermot Weld-trained Search For A Song in a hurry. She accounted for Kew Gardens in the Irish St Leger and possesses abundant stamina. The four-year-old should be winning plenty of races this season.
Headman also makes the cut. He was a luckless fifth in the Irish Champion Stakes after missing the break but appears set to take high ranking among the older middle-distance horses.
The John Gosden-trained Waldkonig created a memorable impression when romping home by nine lengths on his debut at Wolverhampton last year. A half-brother to last season's Arc winner Waldgeist, he could be destined for great things.
Battaash no longer has Blue Point to worry about in the King's Stand Stakes and should be winning it. The division seems to lack strength in depth this year so he should be bolstering his top-level tally.
It would be a major surprise were brilliant juvenile Pinatubo turned over in the 2,000 Guineas. He has the makings of a great miler.
Stradivarius had his colours lowered on Champions Day in the autumn by Kew Gardens but I think he paid the price for a hard season. I would expect form to be reversed in the Ascot Gold Cup and he can maintain his position as top dog in the stayers’ division.
Robbie Wilders' Tote Ten To Follow
Battaash
Delphinia
Headman
Japan
Love
Mogul
Pinatubo
Search For A Song
Stradivarius
Waldkonig
Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com
Published on inFeatures
Last updated
- Top racing books of 2024: must-reads of the year, from the perfect Christmas stocking filler to a pioneering jockey
- Captain Marvel: how a modern master of Cheltenham and a genuine pioneer executed one of the shocks of the year
- 'We’re delighted with how it's going' - joint-trainers prepare for exciting year after Flat string is doubled
- 'We’ve had to work hard this sales season' - Kennet Valley seeking to build on success with biggest string
- Alastair Down's archives: the great writer recalls Coneygree's glorious victory in the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup
- Top racing books of 2024: must-reads of the year, from the perfect Christmas stocking filler to a pioneering jockey
- Captain Marvel: how a modern master of Cheltenham and a genuine pioneer executed one of the shocks of the year
- 'We’re delighted with how it's going' - joint-trainers prepare for exciting year after Flat string is doubled
- 'We’ve had to work hard this sales season' - Kennet Valley seeking to build on success with biggest string
- Alastair Down's archives: the great writer recalls Coneygree's glorious victory in the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup