Don't try to be too clever and stick with chasers in pursuit of bonus races

When compiling this list of 50 key horses for the Ten To Follow competition I had the same golden rule in my head as you should when whittling it down to just ten: don’t try to be too clever.

Finding one who might rack up a sequence at Fontwell or Exeter through the winter might well get you more kudos than simply sticking in Shishkin, but you have to consider how horses accrue points in this competition. That means finding Grade 1 winners and, even better, bonus-race winners.

There are 21 bonus races in total, 15 over fences and just six over hurdles, so going with a list skewed in favour of chasers makes sense. This shortlist of 50 gives you plenty of options, having the same chase bias you require.

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In contrast, avoid bumper horses and British-trained novice hurdlers. On the latter point, there are no bonus points available for novice hurdlers, unless you’re smart enough to find the Betfair Hurdle winner, but there are enough Grade 1 novice hurdles in Ireland this side of Cheltenham that you could consider the likes of Kilcruit or Sir Gerhard.

I’d also be wary of Grand National types unlikely to be seen much through the winter, such as Any Second Now and Burrows Saint, although Secret Reprieve and Time To Get Up are among these 50 given both might well need to go up in the weights with success before then. The Welsh National, a bonus race, could be a target for both.

A Plus Tard
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Brilliant young chaser who took his form to another level when stepped up in trip last season, winning the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on first run beyond 2m5f and finishing second to Minella Indo in the Gold Cup; should again be a force in top staying chases.

Al Boum Photo
Willie Mullins
Dual winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, coming out on top in 2019 and 2020 after just a single outing at Tramore both times; followed same route last season but managed only third in the Gold Cup; likely to be slightly busier this season but best days might just be behind him.

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Allaho
Willie Mullins
Produced a sensational performance when winning last season’s Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham by 12 lengths; could dominate at around 2m4f and could even be tried again over shorter (below best when second to Chacun Pour Soi at Punchestown last term).

Appreciate It
Willie Mullins
Brilliant winner of last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, taking unbeaten record over hurdles to four; physically imposing type who looks every inch a chaser and should make an outstanding novice.

Asterion Forlonge
Willie Mullins
Disappointing for much of last season but bounced back in devastating fashion when winning a novice handicap chase at Punchestown by 14 lengths; has long been a work in progress but could be a dark horse for Grade 1 chases if he’s turned a corner.

Bob Olinger could be a superstar if he can translate his outstanding hurdles form to fencesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Bob Olinger
Henry de Bromhead
Brilliant novice hurdler last season and won his last three races, including a comprehensive defeat of Grade 1 winners Gaillard Du Mesnil and Bravemansgame in the Ballymore at Cheltenham; looks a proper chasing type and could be a superstar.

Bravemansgame
Paul Nicholls
Among last season’s leading British novice hurdlers, completing a hat-trick in winning the Challow Hurdle by ten lengths before a solid third in the Ballymore at Cheltenham; impressed on chase debut at Newton Abbot this term and should make a high-class novice.

Bristol De Mai
Nigel Twiston-Davies
Haydock specialist who won the Betfair Chase for a third time last season with an excellent win over Clan Des Obeaux; yet to win a big race elsewhere and form tailed off last season but bonus points in the Betfair can’t be ruled out before a potential spring transfer.

Buzz
Nicky Henderson
Developed into a high-class hurdler last season and has since shown further progress on the Flat, winning the Cesarewitch; top staying hurdles on the cards and division in Britain could provide some easy pickings.

Chacun Pour Soi
Willie Mullins
Proved himself the leading 2m chaser last season despite an odds-on defeat in the Champion Chase, bouncing back with a thrilling defeat of Allaho at Punchestown; fascinating to see how he compares to Shishkin and Energumene.

Champ
Nicky Henderson
Ran just twice during a frustrating campaign last season, finishing a fine second in his Gold Cup prep run over an inadequate trip only for his jumping to fall apart when pulled up at Cheltenham; has since had back surgery but becoming hard to trust.

Chantry House
Nicky Henderson
High-class novice chaser last season who landed a Grade 1 double at Cheltenham and Aintree; benefited from high-profile falls, though, with red-hot favourite Envoi Allen falling early in the Marsh and Espoir De Romay falling in front two out at Aintree, so improvement needed.

Clan Des Obeaux may be able to make a big impression again in Grade 1 chasesCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Clan Des Obeaux
Paul Nicholls
Four-time Grade 1 winner comprising two King Georges and a brilliant spring double last season; had been only third chasing a King George hat-trick but could reclaim that crown.

Defi Du Seuil
Philip Hobbs
Seven-time Grade 1 winner who mopped up several top races at around 2m in Britain two seasons ago, including the Tingle Creek and Clarence House; showed little sparkle in just two runs last season but has bounced back before and could have more life in him.

Delta Work
Gordon Elliott
Prolific Grade 1 winner since going chasing and added the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup (both bonus races this term) two seasons ago to three top-level victories as a novice; below his best last season but did better at Down Royal last weekend on promising return from injury.

Echoes In Rain
Willie Mullins
Won four out of five novice hurdles last season, signing off with a Grade 1 win against geldings at Punchestown; held in very high regard by her trainer and could be a Champion Hurdle horse if continuing to settle better.

Eklat De Rire
Henry de Bromhead
Won first two races over fences last season, jumping outstandingly well for an inexperienced horse, but unseated his rider around halfway when facing his acid test in the Brown Advisory Chase at Cheltenham; fascinating dark horse for good staying chases on soft ground.

Energumene
Willie Mullins
Brilliant novice chaser last season, easily winning all four races to maintain unbeaten record over obstacles; missed eagerly awaited Arkle showdown with Shishkin when lame but bounced back spectacularly at Punchestown; seems sure to win more races at the top level.

Envoi Allen was able to get his career back on track with a smooth success on his Down Royal returnCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Henry de Bromhead
Hugely exciting dual Cheltenham Festival winner who had won his first 11 races under rules, including three over fences, before things went wrong last spring (fell at Cheltenham and injured at Punchestown); bounced back at Down Royal last weekend and could still be anything.

Epatante
Nicky Henderson
Won the Champion Hurdle in 2020 during a brilliant unbeaten campaign but didn’t hit those heights last season despite another Grade 1 win in the Fighting Fifth; has a bit to prove after an underwhelming season but division in Britain is very weak.

Espoir De Romay
Kim Bailey
Very smart novice chaser last season and might well have beaten Chantry House in a Grade 1 at Aintree but for falling two out; had won two out of three completed races over fences, beaten only by Royale Pagaille; open to further improvement and could be high-class.

Fakir D’Oudairies
Joseph O’Brien
Impressive winner of last season’s Melling Chase at Aintree, maintaining fine record at around 2m4f (won a Grade 1 novice and second in the Ryanair on two previous attempts); should do well in top 2m4f chases. Could stay further as he gets older.

Ferny Hollow
Willie Mullins
Hugely exciting prospect who ran out a brilliant winner of the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in 2020, beating Appreciate It; ran just once over hurdles last season but claimed the big scalp of Bob Olinger before getting injured; could be top class over fences.

Fiddlerontheroof
Colin Tizzard
Slightly disappointing as a novice chaser last season but still ran well when a clear second behind Monkfish in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham, looking a strong stayer; could make a mark in good staying handicaps, with the Ladbrokes Trophy a likely next stop.

First Flow
Kim Bailey
Progressive chaser who graduated to the top level last season, making it six wins in a row in beating Politologue in the Clarence House at Ascot; disappointed in the spring on quicker ground but could be a big player in top 2m chases on soft in the winter.

Flooring Porter
Gavin Cromwell
Astonishing improver last season when seemingly transformed by front-running tactics, going from winning a Navan handicap at 22-1 off 136 to running away with the Stayers’ Hurdle just two runs later; leading contender for top staying hurdles.

Frodon showed he has lost none of his zest with a thrilling Down Royal returnCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Frodon
Paul Nicholls
Prolific chaser who landed a third Grade 1 win in such thrilling fashion at Down Royal last weekend; had also won last year’s King George and likely to have a Kempton repeat and more Irish raids on his agenda again.

Galopin Des Champs
Willie Mullins
Massive improver last spring, proving a handicap blot in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham and then running away with a strong Grade 1 at Punchestown by 12 lengths when stepped up to 3m; trainer has high hopes for him as a novice chaser.

Galvin
Gordon Elliott
Won all five races last season, including the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham; improved again when second to Frodon at Down Royal last weekend; Grand National favourite but mark more in keeping with Grade 1 targets.

Goshen
Gary Moore
Talented but enigmatic hurdler famous for throwing away the 2020 Triumph Hurdle at the last; put disappointments behind him with a runaway win in last season’s Kingwell Hurdle but hung uncontrollably in the Champion; still full of potential.

Greaneteen
Paul Nicholls
Developed into a top-class chaser last season as he learned to settle; looked unlucky when a close fourth in the Champion Chase and backed that up when comfortably beating Altior at Sandown; big player in all top 2m chases, although well beaten in the Haldon Gold Cup on his return.

Honeysuckle
Henry de Bromhead
Phenomenal mare who has won all 12 races under rules, eight at Grade 1 level; stepped up to take on the boys in last season’s Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and hacked up ahead of Sharjah to supplement two Irish Champion Hurdle wins; stays over hurdles.

Kilcruit
Willie Mullins
Last season’s top bumper horse according to Racing Post Ratings, achieving a mark of 142 when winning by 12 lengths at the Dublin Racing Festival; narrowly beaten at Cheltenham but made amends at Punchestown; could go right to the top in novice hurdles.

Klassical Dream
Willie Mullins
Brilliant winner of 3m Grade 1 hurdle at Punchestown in April, re-emerging as a top-class horse after a long time in the wilderness after winning three Grade 1 novice hurdles three seasons ago; long seen as a chaser but now likely to stick to staying hurdles.

Minella Indo
Henry de Bromhead
Tremendous winner of last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup when beating A Plus Tard, extending fine festival record having come first and second previously; leading contender for that race again, taking in other top staying chases beforehand.

Minella Times
Henry de Bromhead
Famous winner of last season’s Grand National at Aintree when partnered by Rachael Blackmore to a comfortable victory; handicapper has taken drastic action but had been progressive and further improvement in top chases not out of the question.

Monmiral is an exciting prospect for the Paul Nicholls teamCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Monmiral
Paul Nicholls
Unbeaten in five races over hurdles and completed a tremendous season when winning the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at Aintree; looks a future chaser but could do well in a soft hurdling division in Britain and Aintree Hurdle is a bonus race surely on the agenda.

My Drogo
Dan Skelton
Last season’s leading novice hurdler in Britain, making it four wins out of four with a runaway victory in a 2m4f Grade 1 at Aintree; had missed Cheltenham to prioritise future chasing career and looks a hugely exciting prospect for novice chases.

Next Destination
Paul Nicholls
Did brilliantly last season after more than two and a half years off the track and finished a fine second in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham; could try his luck in top staying chases but improvement needed.

Nube Negra
Dan Skelton
Big improver last season, developing into one of Britain’s top 2m chasers; sprang a 20-1 surprise when beating Altior first time out at Kempton and backed that up with an unlucky half-length second in Champion Chase; likely contender in top 2m chases.

Put The Kettle On
Henry de Bromhead
Wonderfully game mare who ran out a narrow winner of last season’s Champion Chase, albeit with some hard-luck stories behind; has now won all last four races at Cheltenham but likely to find things tough in much stronger 2m chase division.

Quilixios
Henry de Bromhead
Completed a five-timer when storming to an impressive win in last season’s Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham; disappointing fifth at Punchestown but could well bounce back in top hurdle races, although future ultimately lies over fences.

Royale Pagaille was impressive in the Peter Marsh Chase and looks a top prospect on soft groundCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Royale Pagaille
Venetia Williams
Massive improver last season, ending up in the Gold Cup having begun as an eight-race maiden over fences; won three times on soft/heavy ground but well beaten in sixth on much quicker going at Cheltenham; still a top prospect back on softer.

Secret Reprieve
Evan Williams
Sharply progressive staying chaser who won last season’s Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (5-2 favourite) to follow up victory in the trial at the same course; subsequently laid out for the Grand National only to narrowly miss the cut.

Sharjah
Willie Mullins
Top-class hurdler who has won the last three runnings of the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas; hasn’t won elsewhere in that time but has finished second in the last two Champion Hurdles and pushed Honeysuckle closer at Punchestown in April.

Nicky Henderson
Brilliant winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in the last two seasons; has won his last eight races and would surely be unbeaten under rules but for falling on his hurdles debut in 2019; clear favourite for the Champion Chase and omitted at your peril.

Sir Gerhard
Willie Mullins
Won last season’s Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, completing a hat-trick as he made all the running and just held off strong-finishing Kilcruit (pair clear); below best when only third behind that rival at Punchestown; big player in top 2m novice hurdles.

Thyme Hill
Philip Hobbs
Arguably the leading British-trained staying hurdler last season, with sole defeat coming when mugged on the line by Paisley Park in the Long Walk Hurdle; missed the Stayers’ Hurdle through injury but bounced back to win at Aintree; big possibility of more Grade 1 success.

Time To Get Up
Jonjo O’Neill
Made a big mark when sent chasing last season, improving as he went up in trip and winning the Midlands National at Uttoxeter (runner-up won the Scottish National next time); open to further improvement after just four runs over fences; likely type for the Grand National.

Zanahiyr
Gordon Elliott
Favourite for last season’s Triumph Hurdle after three impressive wins in late 2020 but didn’t quite deliver in the spring, including when fourth at Cheltenham; bounced back to win well at Down Royal last weekend and could benefit from longer trips.

Read more on the Tote Ten To Follow:

MyCatChip holds off chasing pack to take Flat title as big guns misfire at Ascot

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