Essential guide to the leading players you will want in your Ten To Follow teams

A Plus Tard
Henry de Bromhead (Ire)
Stepped up to Grade 1 level with distinction last season, notably beating Chacun Pour Soi (lacked race fitness) at Leopardstown; stepped back up to 2m4½f at Cheltenham for the Ryanair Chase but beaten into third behind Min and Saint Calvados; narrowly beaten on his return but capable of further improvement in top chases.

Abacadabras
Gordon Elliott (Ire)
Top-class novice hurdler last season, winning three times and beaten only by Envoi Allen and Shishkin; narrow defeat to the latter in the Supreme came after tanking to the front and again travelled strongly before losing out to Aspire Tower on reappearance; entitled to come on for that and still looks a legitimate Champion Hurdle contender.

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Willie Mullins (Ire)
Has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the last two seasons, holding off Santini to retain his crown in March; has used the same New Year’s Day chase at Tramore for his sole prep run both times; top Gold Cup contender again but sure to have his campaign geared solely around that race and unlikely to pick up many other points.

Allaho
Willie Mullins (Ire)
Excellent third in last season’s RSA Chase, matching his position in the 2019 Albert Bartlett; had been expected to do even better in the RSA (sent off favourite) after a wide-margin win in a beginners’ chase; still very lightly raced and open to significant improvement, perhaps down slightly in trip.

Altior
Nicky Henderson
Legendary chaser who won a jumps-record 19 successive races from 2015 to 2019; beaten for the first time over jumps when second to Cyrname last term on first run beyond 2m2f and likely to stick to 2m this time; denied crack at a third Champion Chase through injury after getting back to winning ways in the Game Spirit.

Appreciate It
Willie Mullins (Ire)
Warm favourite for last season’s Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and ran well despite losing out to Ferny Hollow, travelling strongly to the front on the bridle; had run away with a strong Grade 2 bumper at Leopardstown on quicker ground; top prospect for novice hurdles and early Ballymore favourite.

Aspire Tower leads Abacadabras over the last to win at Down RoyalCredit: Patrick McCann

Aspire Tower
Henry de Bromhead (Ire)
Quickly proved a very smart juvenile hurdler, winning first two starts by wide margins; didn’t quite live up to expectations in two runs at Grade 1 level, though fought hard to take second in the Triumph Hurdle; backed up trainer’s conviction that he’d been below-par at that time when beating Abacadabras first time out this term at Down Royal.

Benie Des Dieux
Willie Mullins (Ire)
Outstanding mare who has been beaten just once in nine completed starts for Willie Mullins, finishing second to Honeysuckle in last season’s Mares’ Hurdle (also fell at the last when set to win that race in 2019); had won the Boyne Hurdle to underline effectiveness over 3m; could also switch to fences.

Chacun Pour Soi
Willie Mullins (Ire)
Fragile but brilliant two-mile chaser who has been very lightly raced due to injury and was ruled out of the Champion Chase at the last minute due to latest setback; had looked right up to that level when beating Min at the Dublin Racing Festival in February; will win top races if staying sound.

Champ
Nicky Henderson
Remarkable winner of last season’s RSA Chase at Cheltenham, coming from miles back to run down Minella Indo close home; strong suspicion the leaders did too much that day but still has the potential to become a Cheltenham Gold Cup horse if suspect jumping improves.

Chantry House
Nicky Henderson
Point-to-point and bumper winner who also justified odds-on favouritism in first two runs over hurdles at Cheltenham and Newbury last season before a fine third in the Supreme; stayed on well to suggest improvement likely over further; set to go novice chasing and looks a very smart prospect over fences.

Chris’s Dream
Henry de Bromhead (Ire)
Massive improver last season, hacking up in the Troytown Chase at Navan before coming back in trip to win the Red Mills Trial Chase at Gowran Park; sent off 20-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup but faded into tenth; did better when nailed on the line in the Champion Chase at Down Royal and surely has a Grade 1 in him.

Clan Des Obeaux
Paul Nicholls
Has won the King George at Kempton for the last two seasons, hacking up by 21 lengths from Cyrname last term; has subsequently disappointed in the Gold Cup both times, taking Cheltenham record to 0-6, and trainer says he won’t be asked to run there again; the horse to beat in the King George again.

Copperhead and Jonjo O'Neill Jr come clear in the Reynoldstown Chase at AscotCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Copperhead
Colin Tizzard
Progressive young chaser who won Class 3 handicaps at Wincanton and Newbury last season before handling a sharp rise in class in the Reynoldstown at Ascot, staying on really strongly on soft ground; well beaten when falling at the last in the RSA Chase but looks better than that; big player in the Ladbrokes Trophy.

Cyrname
Paul Nicholls
Highest-rated chaser in Britain and Ireland for the last two seasons on Racing Post Ratings, owing that status to three wide-margin wins at Ascot, including beating Altior last November; finally proved effectiveness elsewhere when a brilliant winner of the Charlie Hall Chase first time out this season.

Darver Star
Gavin Cromwell (Ire)
Remarkably progressive last season, finishing third behind Epatante in the Champion Hurdle less than a year after getting off the mark in a handicap at Wexford off 106; made debut over fences with an easy win at Punchestown last month and looks a top-class prospect for novice chases.

Defi Du Seuil
Philip Hobbs
Seven-time Grade 1 winner who mopped up a string of top races at around 2m in Britain, beating Un De Sceaux in the Tingle Creek and Clarence House; below par when fourth in the Champion Chase; equally effective at 2m4f having won the JLT at Cheltenham in 2019; should bounce back and win more top races.

Delta Work
Gordon Elliott (Ire)
Prolific Grade 1 winner since going chasing two seasons ago, adding last season’s Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup to three top-level victories as a novice; did well to finish fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup after jumping poorly; bound to improve for reappearance fifth and is the type to rack up big points given great strike-rate.

Easysland
David Cottin (Fr)
Emerged as the dominant force in cross-country racing last season, winning five times including twice at Cheltenham, most notably a 17-length success over Tiger Roll in March; still only six and going from strength to strength; set to be campaigned in cross-country races again before a crack at the Grand National.

Eldorado Allen
Colin Tizzard
Made a huge impression on British debut in November 2018 and still mentioned in Champion Hurdle terms when returning from a year out last season; failed to build on promising return but got back on track with impressive victory on chase debut at Newton Abbot in October; could yet go to the top on that evidence.

Envoi Allen makes an impressive chasing debut at Down RoyalCredit: Patrick McCann

Gordon Elliott (Ire)
Last season’s outstanding novice hurdler; showed top-class form over 2m (beat subsequent Supreme runner-up Abacadabras) before stepping up in trip to win two more Grade 1 races, including a second Cheltenham Festival win in the Ballymore; impressive winner on chase debut and looks the most exciting horse in that sphere this season.

Epatante
Nicky Henderson
Brilliant winner of the Champion Hurdle last season, putting to bed the ghosts of her sole defeat when flopping at the festival in 2019; not extended in winning three times since then, hacking up in the Christmas Hurdle before another easy victory at Cheltenham; looks a worthy Champion Hurdle favourite again.

Goshen
Gary Moore
Outstanding juvenile hurdler of last season who would have been a runaway winner of the Triumph Hurdle but for unseating his rider at the last; had won all three previous starts over hurdles; should be primed early after starting back on the Flat this autumn, although Champion Hurdle division is tough for his age group.

Greaneteen
Paul Nicholls
Hugely progressive over the last two seasons and stepped forward again when winning the Haldon Gold Cup first time out at Exeter on his return; had won first three chases and coped well with sharp rise in class to finish fourth in the Grand Annual; things will get tougher now in top 2m chases but not impossible he can continue to improve.

Honeysuckle
Henry de Bromhead (Ire)
Magnificent unbeaten mare who made it eight out of eight under rules when claiming the scalp of Benie Des Dieux in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham; also dropped to 2m to beat the boys in the Irish Champion Hurdle, though seemingly better over further; stays over hurdles and should win more top races at around 2m4f.

If The Cap Fits
Harry Fry
Developed into a high-class stayer two seasons ago, winning a Grade 1 at Aintree; had rather a wasted campaign last season, winning a second successive Ascot Hurdle but skipping the Stayers’ Hurdle in order to wait for Aintree again after a disappointing run in the Cleeve; made a winning start over fences and, despite a narrow defeat since, should become a top staying novice.

Imperial Aura (black cap) makes an impressive return to action at CarlisleCredit: John Grossick Racing

Imperial Aura
Kim Bailey
Excelled in the two best novice handicap chases of last season at Cheltenham, finishing second to subsequent Plate winner Simply The Betts in January before winning at the festival from big gamble Galvin (pair clear); won well at Carlisle first time out this season with Grade 2 races at Ascot or Huntingdon next in line.

Klassical Dream
Willie Mullins (Ire)
Brilliant novice hurdler two seasons ago when winning the Supreme at Cheltenham and following up at Punchestown; well below that level in just two runs last term, notably on final run at Leopardstown; finished sore that day and subsequently missed the rest of the season; still has top-class potential now switching to fences.

Colin Tizzard
Grand chasing type who put himself in the top tier of staying chasers last season; beat course specialist Bristol De Mai in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and finished a close third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup after a rare blip in the King George; leading contender for all top staying chases.

McFabulous
Paul Nicholls
Grade 2 bumper winner who was talked up by his trainer when going hurdling last season and has belatedly justified the faith since being stepped up in trip; got off the mark at the third attempt and then ran out a brilliant winner of the EBF Final at Kempton before impressing again on return at Chepstow; exciting addition to staying hurdle division.

Min
Willie Mullins (Ire)
Vanquished Cheltenham ghosts with narrow victory in last season’s Ryanair Chase, confirming preference for that longer trip after three festival defeats over shorter; has won last four races beyond 2m2f yet beaten in his last three over shorter distances; should again be a big force at around 2m4f.

Minella Indo
Henry de Bromhead (Ire)
Nearly became a dual Cheltenham Festival winner last season when just run down by Champ in the RSA (seemed to get racing too soon) as he attempted to follow up 2019 Albert Bartlett victory; won well on return at Wexford last month; still very lightly raced and open to significant improvement; looks a leading Gold Cup contender.

Monkfish (pink silks) battles home to win the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

Monkfish
Willie Mullins (Ire)
Won a red-hot edition of the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham last season, rallying superbly up the hill having been prominent throughout and raced keenly; had won two previous races at a much lower level by wide margins; big chasing type who looks a top-class prospect for staying novice chases.

Notebook
Henry de Bromhead (Ire)
Electrifying jumper who took a big step forward when switched to fences last season; won two Grade 1 novice chases at Leopardstown, most notably beating Fakir D’Oudairies in December; only sixth when favourite for the Arkle (second poor run at Cheltenham) but should be well suited by small-field chases in Ireland.

Paisley Park
Emma Lavelle
Dominant staying hurdler of the last two seasons despite losing Stayers’ Hurdle crown at Cheltenham in March (found to have suffered a heart fibrillation); had won his previous seven races and overcame an unsuitably steady gallop to win a second Cleeve Hurdle last season; still the best staying hurdler but carries more risk now.

Politologue
Paul Nicholls
Smart over a variety of trips but really found his niche as a front-running two-miler last season, producing a stunning win in the Champion Chase; race fell apart overall but had also pushed Defi Du Seuil close in the Shloer Chase before breaking a blood vessel in the Tingle Creek; still potentially underrated.

Aidan Coleman celebrates Put The Kettle On's victory in the Arkle at CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

Put The Kettle On
Henry de Bromhead (Ire)
Massive improver last season when switched to fences, kicking off at Killarney in May and making it five wins out of six over fences when back from a winter break in the Arkle at Cheltenham; proven up to 2m4f and effective on good and soft ground; Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham increases opportunities.

Roksana
Dan Skelton
Fortuitous winner of the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2019 but only fourth in the same race last season; benefited from being stepped back up to 3m on return this season, winning well at Wetherby, having finished second in Grade 1 races at Aintree on only two previous runs at the trip; could prove a leading stayer.

Rouge Vif
Harry Whittington
Very smart novice chaser last season and looked to have improved again when hacking up off mark of 156 at Cheltenham last month; performance bodes particularly well given he had looked to relish the sharp circuits of Warwick (won the Kingmaker) and Kempton (second in the Wayward Lad) last season; interesting in top 2m chases.

Saint Calvados
Harry Whittington
Finally fulfilled early potential last season following switch to hold-up tactics and step up in trip; twice went close over 2m4½f at Cheltenham, notably behind Min in the Ryanair Chase; last of four behind Defi Du Seuil in the Shloer Chase; had exposed limitations over 2m but should thrive now connections have discovered the key to him.

Saint Roi
Willie Mullins (Ire)
Hugely impressive winner of last season’s County Hurdle at Cheltenham on handicap debut, hacking up by four and a half lengths from subsequent Galway Hurdle winner Aramon; caught the eye again when winning well at Tipperary on return; looks a leading Champion Hurdle contender.

Samcro
Gordon Elliott (Ire)
Emerged from two years in the doldrums with a thrilling win in last season’s Marsh Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham, pipping Melon having seemingly been helped by a wind operation after disappointment at Limerick; good third on return at Down Royal after a bad mistake; could be ready to fulfil potential at last.

Santini
Nicky Henderson
Came of age last season when winning the Cotswold Chase and finishing second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, despite a moderate gallop not playing to his strengths; still very lightly raced after just six runs over fences and open to further improvement; he looks a serious Gold Cup player again.

Shishkin
Nicky Henderson
Brilliant winner of last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, getting up close home having been shuffled much further back than ideal as proven stamina (had previously won over 2m3½f) was decisive; point-to-point winner and has dazzled his trainer when schooling over fences; already a strong Arkle favourite.

Simply The Betts and Gavin Sheehan land the Plate at CheltenhamCredit: Patrick McCann

Simply The Betts
Harry Whittington
Went from strength to strength when switched to fences last season, winning four out of five; beat more experienced handicappers in the Plate at Cheltenham, having seen off another subsequent festival winner, Imperial Aura, at the track in January; big player in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

The Conditional
David Bridgwater
Developed into a smart handicap chaser last season, winning twice at Cheltenham, including a neck victory in the Ultima; had also finished second in the Ladbrokes Trophy but failed to stay 3m5f when favourite for the Classic Chase at Warwick; still on a fair mark and should be a force in more top handicaps.

Thyme Hill
Philip Hobbs
Top-class novice hurdler last season; won first three races, all at Graded level, including the Challow Hurdle at Newbury; perhaps unlucky not to add the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, finishing a length fourth after struggling to get a run; that proved stamina over 3m and he has potential to go right to the top in staying hurdle division.

Tiger Roll
Gordon Elliott (Ire)
Went into folklore when becoming the first horse since Red Rum to win back-to-back Grand Nationals in 2019; had already won the Boyne Hurdle and Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham that season but finished fifth and a distant second in the same races last term; Grand National favourite again but suspicion his best chance of a hat-trick has passed him by.

Topofthegame
Paul Nicholls
Was a work in progress for some time (novice chase campaign aborted three seasons ago) but got it right when it mattered by winning the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in 2019; missed last season through injury but back on the Gold Cup trail; top-class chaser who will start off as a big player in the Ladbrokes Trophy.

Vinndication
Kim Bailey
Good second to Cyrname in Charlie Hall Chase first time out this season; had been felt to need a right-handed track earlier in his career and best form has come going that way round, notably when producing a tremendous performance to win the Sodexo Gold Cup at Ascot last season; still has untapped potential in top staying chases.

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