Group 1 winners needed to put your team in line for £100,000 pot

With the Ten To Follow competition weighted heavily in favour of Group 1 success, the bulk of your list has to be made up of horses capable of scoring at the top level. For that reason our list of 50 key horses focuses solely on those with Group 1 potential.

Yet there are always weak Group 1 divisions and, among our six dark horses to note at the foot of the page, three of them could capitalise on those.

There are lots of opportunities for fillies and mares to score heavily and, while One Master and Veracious make our top 50, Lavender’s Blue is one darker filly who could make the step up this year.

Races like the Diamond Jubilee and July Cup look wide open, with last season’s best 6f horses retired. A top three-year-old might emerge later on, but even so horses such as Jash and Space Blues could make hay.

You might wish to look at sprint handicappers given the Stewards’ Cup and Ayr Gold Cup are bonus races. Kevin Ryan has a fine record in the latter and has a well-handicapped sprinter in Hey Jonesy, while Pendleton could move through the grades for sprint king Michael Dods.

Over longer trips, one who could have handicaps or Group races on his agenda by the end of the year is the exciting Faylaq.

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50 key horses

A’Ali
3yo colt
Trainer Simon and Ed Crisford
Form 211510-
RPR 112+
Leading two-year-old sprinter last season, winning three Group 2 races from 5f-5½f; coped with soft ground when winning the Norfolk Stakes but proved better on a quicker surface when taking the Flying Childers at Doncaster; set to stick to sprinting.

Albigna
3yo filly
Jessica Harrington (Ire)
11614-
112+
Looked all about stamina towards the end of last season, making it all the more remarkable she had earlier won a 6f Group 2; relished the step up to a mile when winning Prix Marcel Boussac and got going just too late when fourth at the Breeders’ Cup.

Anthony Van Dyck
4yo colt
Aidan O’Brien (Ire)
120330-
119
Won a thrilling five-way finish in the Derby; yet to prove more than a very moderate Derby winner after five later defeats, but had ground/trip against him more than once and showed promise when placed in Irish Derby and Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Anthony Van Dyck (right) pushes ahead in a thrilling Derby finaleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Arizona
3yo colt
Aidan O’Brien (Ire)
114325-
117
Didn’t build on narrow Coventry Stakes win, coming up short in four Group 1 races; still did well to keep Pinatubo honest when second in the Dewhurst and flashed home late when a closing fifth from the rear in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Armory
3yo colt
Aidan O’Brien (Ire)
111232-
111
Top of Ballydoyle pecking order for much of last season and won three times at odds-on including Futurity Stakes, but came up short later; fair efforts when placed behind Pinatubo and Victor Ludorum but below-par last of two in Group 1 on final start.

Barney Roy
6yo gelding
Charlie Appleby
9/218-11
117
Top-class from 1m-1m2f in 2017 (won St James’s Palace Stakes and beaten a nose in the Eclipse) but subsequently failed at stud; mixed bag since return last season but got back on track with a couple of wins in Dubai this spring.

Battaash
6yo gelding
Charlie Hills
4/12110-
129
Lightning-fast sprinter who produced several devastating performances in recent seasons, notably in becoming three-time winner of the King George Stakes; yet to win at Royal Ascot (twice second in King’s Stand) but did break Nunthorpe hoodoo last year.

Circus Maximus
4yo colt
Aidan O’Brien (Ire)
612714-
119
Initially seen as middle-distance type last season (won Dee Stakes first time out) but proved best over a mile after failing to stay in the Derby; won St James’s Palace and Prix du Moulin either side of a half-length second to Too Darn Hot in Sussex Stakes.

Domino Darling
3yo filly
William Haggas
1-
85+
Beautifully bred filly by her owner’s Derby winner Golden Horn; became seventh winner for her dam (1m4f-2m Group 3 scorer Namibian most notable) when making a successful start at Doncaster in October.

Earthlight
3yo colt
Andre Fabre (Fr)
11111-
119
Won five from five last year, including Group 1 Prix Morny and Middle Park; yet to run beyond 6f but set to go up to a mile in pursuit of more success.

Enable
6yo mare
John Gosden
/1112-
129
Outstanding mare who had won 12 races in a row, including ten at Group 1 level, until agonisingly beaten in last season’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe; impressively dropped to 1m2f in the Eclipse before winning a second King George; a third Arc victory is the aim.

Ghaiyyath
5yo horse
Charlie Appleby
1/1310-1
128
Talented but inconsistent in injury-plagued career; stunning 14-length winner of Grosser Preis von Baden last season to earn a crack at the Arc but flopped in a French Group 1 for the second time (had finished only third when 1-2 for the Prix Ganay).

Glass Slippers
4yo filly
Kevin Ryan
524111-
117
Took a long time to come right last season but flourished in second half of the year in France, notably when running away with Prix de l’Abbaye by three lengths; acts on any ground and could win plenty more over 5f and 6f.

Headman
4yo colt
Roger Charlton
2/61115-
117
Took a while to live up to reputation (had been touted as a Guineas horse) but soon looked a potential Group 1 horse last season; won a couple of Group 2s over 1m2f in France and ran well when fifth in the Irish Champion Stakes after botching the start.

Headman (left) looked a potential Group 1 horse last seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Hello Youmzain
4yo colt
Kevin Ryan
1/41318-
121
Proved a top-class sprinter with two terrific wins at Haydock last season, winning Sprint Cup after claiming the scalp of Calyx earlier in the year; below that level in two runs at Ascot but blew the start when a creditable third in the Commonwealth Cup.

Innisfree
3yo colt
Aidan O’Brien (Ire)
2112-
110
Won weak Beresford Stakes last year (two withdrawals meant nothing in the field had run in more than a maiden); stepped up on that by finishing second to easy winner Kameko in Vertem Futurity Trophy; one for middle distances.

Japan
4yo colt
Aidan O’Brien (Ire)
431114-
125
Proved the best horse to come out of last year’s Derby despite being only third at Epsom after a rushed prep; went on to win Group 1 races at 1m2f and 1m4f, notably pipping Crystal Ocean in Juddmonte International, before a good fourth in the Arc.

Kameko
3yo colt
Andrew Balding
1221-
117+
Looked a work in progress for much of last season, running green in two narrow defeats, but delivered on his potential in Vertem Futurity, hacking up by more than three lengths; may do best when stepping up in trip.

Kew Gardens
5yo horse
Aidan O’Brien (Ire)
17/2221-
122
Dual Group 1 winner as a three-year-old in 2018, including in the St Leger; took a long time to build on that last season, coming up just short over 1m4f and then pulling muscles in his back, but hit back with stunning win over Stradivarius on Champions Day.

Khaadem
4yo colt
Charlie Hills
172100-
119
Has won all four races below Group level since his debut in 2018, most impressively when hacking up in the Stewards’ Cup off 107 last season; twice well beaten at Group 1 level after that and never better than seventh in three runs at the top level.

King Of Change
4yo colt
Richard Hannon
22/1211-
122+
Top-class miler who finished second at 66-1 in last season’s 2,000 Guineas on first run outside novice/maiden company. Proved that was no fluke with a cosy win in Queen Elizabeth II Stakes; still lightly raced after six runs.

Kinross
3yo colt
Ralph Beckett
15-
104
Stunning eight-length debut winner at Newmarket in October, hacking up in a quick time; sent off 13-8 for the Vertem Futurity but came up short in fifth; will learn from the experience and could still prove a Group 1 miler.

Logician
4yo colt
John Gosden
11111-
119+
Made his debut only last May but won the St Leger less than four months later, easily completing a sensational five-timer; connections expect him to be best suited by a return to 1m4f; badly ill during the winter but should be back later in the season.

Love
3yo filly
Aidan O’Brien (Ire)
211513-
111
Progressed through a busy campaign bar single disappointing run in the Debutante Stakes; bounced back to win the Moyglare and ran up to that level when third in a strong Fillies’ Mile; sure to stay middle distances.

Magical
5yo mare
Aidan O’Brien (Ire)
222151-
123
Four-time Group 1 winner who enjoyed her finest hour in winning last year’s Champion Stakes at Ascot, escaping from Enable’s shadow (second to that mare three times); was set to retire but connections relented given how well she has wintered.

Military March
3yo colt
Saeed bin Suroor
11-
115+
Imposing colt who has impressed in both races, hosing up first time before returning from a break on much softer ground to win Group 3 Autumn Stakes (first two clear); should come into his own over middle distances.

Millisle
3yo filly
Jessica Harrington (Ire)
12121-
116
Beat Raffle Prize to win a strong Cheveley Park Stakes, storming home to give some hope of staying a mile (had been seen as a sprinter); showed big improvement on previous second at Salisbury but reportedly upset by having a blood sample taken that day.

Miss O Connor
5yo mare
William Haggas
1111-
108+
Unbeaten mare who completed four-timer in winning a Group 3 at Saint-Cloud last autumn, building on an impressive Listed win at Haydock; gained both victories on heavy and is unproven on good ground.

Miss Yoda
3yo filly
John Gosden
112-
100
Won first two starts last season (Sandown victory on second run under 6lb penalty worked out well) and coped with a test of stamina in the Zetland Stakes, finishing second to Max Vega; sure to get further.

Mogul
3yo colt
Aidan O’Brien (Ire)
2114-
109+
Clear market choice among Aidan O’Brien’s team for last year’s Vertem Futurity but failed to live up to his billing when fourth; victory at 1-2 in a Leopardstown Group 2 prior to that had come in a soft race for the grade.

Mums Tipple
3yo colt
Richard Hannon
117-
118+
Produced one of the most spectacular performances of last season when running away with a valuable sales race at York by 11 lengths; flopped on his only run in Group company in the Middle Park when reportedly lame.

One Master
6yo mare
William Haggas
432512-
117
Top-class mare who has won last two runnings of Prix de la Foret; proved her class at a mile when second in Falmouth Stakes and third in Queen Anne last season before dropping in trip for second in Champions Sprint.

Pierre-Charles Boudot celebrates victory aboard One Master in the Prix de la ForetCredit: Edward Whitaker

Palace Pier
3yo colt
John Gosden
11-
96+
Made big impression in two victories over 7f at Sandown, winning by wide margins; missed bigger autumn targets after suffering tibia injury; was third favourite for 2,000 Guineas until ruled out by trainer.

Persian King
4yo colt
Andre Fabre (Fr)
111/112-
117
Super colt who completed five-timer in winning last season’s French 2,000 Guineas before chasing home Sottsass when stepped up in trip for Prix du Jockey Club; finished sore after that race and missed rest of the season; trainer considering options from 1m to 1m2f.

Pierre Lapin
3yo colt
Roger Varian
11-
112+
Restricted to just two runs last season having not taken his debut well but still managed to defy a long layoff to follow up in Mill Reef Stakes, winning well despite racing keenly and looking green; regarded as a sprinter by his trainer, but worth a try over 7f.

Pinatubo
3yo colt
Charlie Appleby
111111-
128+
Brilliant unbeaten colt who produced the highest-rated two-year-old performance in 25 years when winning last season’s National Stakes at the Curragh by nine lengths; followed up by adding the Dewhurst, proving ability on soft ground; the red-hot 2,000 Guineas favourite.

Quadrilateral
3yo filly
Roger Charlton
111-
115+
Shot to 1,000 Guineas favouritism with nine-length win at Newbury last season and just about lived up to her billing with narrow win in the Fillies’ Mile; set to return to Newmarket for the Guineas but could then step up in trip and looks sure to stay 1m2f-plus.

Raabihah
3yo filly
Jean-Claude Rouget (Fr)
11-
104
Unraced as a two-year-old but made up for lost time with two wide-margin wins this year, notably when landing Longchamp Listed race by four lengths; top Prix de Diane contender.

Sangarius
4yo colt
Sir Michael Stoute
114/31-
114+
Long held in high regard (fourth in the Dewhurst in 2018) and began to live up to his billing when stepped up to 1m2f at Royal Ascot last season, running away with Hampton Court Stakes; missed the rest of the season but remains open to improvement.

Search For A Song
4yo filly
Dermot Weld (Ire)
12411-
118
Sharply progressive in five runs last year; fine fourth in Irish Oaks before winning Listed race at York and took another big step forward when easily landing the Irish St Leger, albeit after being given too much rope in front.

Sir Dragonet
4yo colt
Aidan O’Brien (Ire)
11544-2
117
Surprised connections with early performances last season, needing to be supplemented for the Derby after eight-length win in the Chester Vase; perhaps not as effective on quicker ground when fifth in the Derby and fourth in the St Leger; twice found 1m2f too sharp, including when beaten at 8-15 on reappearance.

Siskin
3yo colt
Ger Lyons (Ire)
1111-
115
Unbeaten in four races last season but blotted copybook when having to be withdrawn from the Middle Park for being unruly in the stalls; had looked best on a quicker surface, notably in Railway Stakes, but did just enough to land the Phoenix on soft.

Sottsass
4yo colt
Jean-Claude Rouget (Fr)
/51113-4
123
Probably the leading three-year-old middle-distance colt in Europe last year; beat Persian King in Prix du Jockey Club and returned from a break to follow up in Prix Niel; best of the three-year-olds when third in the Arc and likely to have that race top of his agenda again; should come on for reappearance fourth.

Star Catcher
4yo filly
John Gosden
131111-
115
Established herself as best middle-distance filly of her generation with a hat-trick of Group 1 wins; dominated the Irish Oaks and Prix Vermeille from the front before showing battling qualities to come from behind at Ascot on Champions Day.

Star Catcher: the best middle-distance filly of her generationCredit: Edward Whitaker

Stradivarius
6yo horse
John Gosden
111112-
123+
Dominant stayer of last two seasons, winning ten in a row before going down by a nose to Kew Gardens in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot; dual winner of the Gold Cup but perhaps best at Goodwood, where he has won the last three Goodwood Cups.

Technician
4yo colt
Martyn Meade
161611-
115+
Improved for stepping up in trip and signed off with breakthrough Group 1 win in Prix Royal-Oak, making it three out of three at Longchamp; patchier form in Britain but did win Geoffrey Freer before a tame sixth in St Leger.

Threat
3yo colt
Richard Hannon
122115-
115
Tough and consistent two-year-old last season; finally won a Group 2 when landing Gimcrack after a couple of near misses and progressed again to follow up under a penalty in the Champagne Stakes; looked short of speed when back at 6f in the Middle Park and should benefit from a mile.

Tropbeau
3yo filly
Andre Fabre (Fr)
1113-14
111
Won three times last term, including two Group races at Deauville, before a fine third in the Cheveley Park (might have been second given a clear run and pulled clear of the rest); proved stamina for a mile when winning Prix de la Grotte at Longchamp in May but only fourth on worst part of the track in Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

Vatican City
3yo colt
Aidan O’Brien (Ire)
51-
88+
Half-brother to five Group winners including 2,000 Guineas hero Gleneagles; not as precocious as that one last season but made a promising start in the autumn, winning well on his second run at Dundalk.

Veracious
5yo mare
Sir Michael Stoute
434124-
116
Possibly flattered by Group 1 win in Falmouth Stakes (allowed to dictate steady gallop and just held on) but backed that up with fine efforts in Sun Chariot and QEII; trainer was keen to keep her for 2020 and may well place her for more Group 1 success.

Victor Ludorum
3yo colt
Andre Fabre (Fr)
111-31
113+
Brilliant winner of Monday's Poule d'Essai des Poulains, leaving form of reappearance third a long way behind; had also won all three races last year, including a slowly run Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere; should stay 1m2f and likely to be a warm order for the Prix du Jockey Club.

Waldkonig
3yo colt
John Gosden
1-
96+
600,000gns half-brother to Waldgeist who overcame greenness for a nine-length debut win at Wolverhampton last December; sure to stay middle distances but also looks to have inherited speed from sire Kingman.

Six dark horses to note

Faylaq
4yo colt
William Haggas
411214-
103
Won three times last season, notably at Kempton under top weight; reportedly struggled to cope with soft ground when only fourth in a Group 3 at Ascot, although had also been kept away from quick ground after being beaten on good to firm at the same track.

Hey Jonesy
5yo gelding
Kevin Ryan
592000-
106
Showed smart form as a three-year-old in 2018 when beaten a head and a neck in Listed races at York and Doncaster; nowhere near that level last year, including when well beaten in the Ayr Gold Cup (sent off 10-1); continues to plummet in the handicap.

Jash
4yo colt
Simon and Ed Crisford
112/16-
107
High-class juvenile (close second to Ten Sovereigns in 2018 Middle Park) who ran just twice last season having had issues after Royal Ascot; beaten in the Commonwealth Cup but had won a 7f Listed race on his return.

Jash: a dark horse to consider for Ten To Follow players

Lavender’s Blue
4yo filly
Amanda Perrett
12014-
109
Initially campaigned as a middle-distance filly last season but flourished when dropped to a mile after trailing home in the Oaks; most impressive when winning a Group 3 at Sandown and unlucky not to finish much closer when fourth in the Sun Chariot Stakes.

Pendleton
4yo gelding
Michael Dods
232512-
98
Big improver at the end of last season when winning a 6f handicap at Ascot and second behind Bielsa at York; helped by testing conditions both times, although had also finished second previously at York on good.

Space Blues
4yo colt
Charlie Appleby
11223-7
116
Got better and better last season as he was dropped in trip, having initially disappointed beyond a mile; won twice over 7f before seconds in the Jersey Stakes and Prix Jean Prat; could even have a future as a sprinter judging by length third in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, although flopped at 4-6 over 6f in Dubai this year.

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