Don't be too clever and stick to the obvious in search of Ten To Follow riches

We are lucky right now because we are blessed with a golden generation of jumps horses and that makes the Tote Ten To Follow an attractive bet for the season to come. It doesn’t usually pay to be too clever in this competition and sticking with the obvious often pays dividends.

Recently I devised the Racing Post’s power rankings which lists the top 20 hurdlers and chasers in training. I used those as my guide when compiling the following list of ten horses.

You can enter the Tote Ten to Follow here

A Plus Tard needs no introduction. He is the best chaser in Britain or Ireland and was one of the most impressive Gold Cup scorers in recent times. He is a must for any list hoping to win.

The best hurdler in Britain and Ireland is Constitution Hilland he is only just moving out of novice company. He looks sure to improve again this season and is another who must go in.

Teahupoo might go under the radar in the hurdles division. He looked good when winning the Red Mills Trial at Gowran Park last season and is likely to rack up points on heavy ground.

State Man was an impressive winner of the County Hurdle and could progress this seasonCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

There are two other hurdlers worth including. Impressive County Hurdle winner State Man is a smart prospect for the season ahead and Botox Has might have more to offer. He was second off a big weight in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham on his return and is improving.

Gary Moore suggested that Botox Has could go over fences, but that doesn’t put me off him. He could make up into an even better chaser if sent down that route and remains a smart type.

Back to the fully fledged chasers and outstanding trio Allaho, Shishkin and Energumene must all be included. They should rack up Grade 1s on either side of the Irish Sea and will get to Cheltenham at the head of the markets for whichever races they are sent to by their top trainers.

No Ten To Follow list is complete without some second-season chasers who could break into top company this campaign and Galopin Des Champs looks most likely to make his mark.

He would have thrashed Bob Olinger in the Turners but for a mishap at the last and his win in the BoyleSports Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in April confirmed him as an elite-level prospect.

The other second-season chaser who can step up this campaign is the slick-jumping Bravemansgame, who looked better than ever when winning the Charlie Hall at Wetherby.

Paul Nicholls has always rated this horse as one of the best he has trained and was keen to stress after his Wetherby win that Bravemansgame would improve plenty for the outing.

He was so impressive when landing the Kauto Star at Kempton last season that it’s hard to see him being beaten in the King George over the same course and distance. That is, of course, on the proviso that the Irish superstar chaser Allaho stays at home for Christmas.

If you do want to take more of a risk and include a novice hurdler, you could do worse than American Mike. He finished second in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and third at Punchestown.

American Mike stepped up in trip on his hurdles debut at Down Royal last week and showed a good turn of foot to get on top late and win going away. That proved he stays and there should be a Grade 1 in him in staying novice hurdles this season, maybe at Cheltenham.

If I could have picked an 11 to follow I’d have added him, but he just missed out on my top ten.

If you’re looking for a long-term bet for a small outlay, there really isn’t a better option than the Tote Ten To Follow, so get involved and enhance your enjoyment of the season to come.

Best of luck.

Graeme Rodway's Ten to Follow

A Plus Tard
Allaho
Bravemansgame
Botox Has
Constitution Hill
Energumene
Galopin Des Champs
Shishkin
State Man
Teahupoo

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