Paul Kealy selects a Tote Ten To Follow list loaded with top-class chasers
The betting guru relies on proven talent in pursuit of bonus points
With the bulk of the bonus races being over fences it make sense to form a list top-heavy with chasers, although you really don't want to waste time trying to find too many winners of the big handicaps as they're terribly hard to find even on the day.
I've gone with just three hurdlers, starting with last season's Champion Hurdle winner , who carried all before her in three runs last term, and will likely be odds-on when lining up for the Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle.
You can enter the £150,000 Tote Ten To Follow here
In Ireland Abacadabrasis still my main fancy to develop into a Champion Hurdle contender despite his defeat to Aspire Tower in the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal last month.
For all that Gordon Elliott mops up uncompetitive races at that meeting, many of his top names are sent there needing a run, and Delta Work's heavy defeat at that track last season (repeated again this time around) didn't stop him from completing a Grade 1 double at Leopardstown later on. Abacadabras will show his true talent soon enough.
The third selection is McFabulousfor what looks a wide-open staying division. He has finally got his act together over hurdles and won the Persian War as easily as he liked on his return.
It will obviously be harder in open company, but he has the potential to cut a swathe through the British stayers this term.
As for the chasers, two novices – and Shishkin– are going to be very popular in the lists, but I don't think there's much mileage in swimming against the tide and leaving them out.
Envoi Allen looked a natural when taking his first step to what we hope will be superstardom over fences at Down Royal and it will be no surprise if he lines up at Cheltenham with another string of 1s next to his name.
Shiskin has yet to jump a fence in public, but Nicky Henderson has been very bullish and he must have a sound chance of following in the footsteps of Sprinter Sacre and Altior by heading to the Arkle with an unbeaten chase record.
He may one day prove as good as the latter, but probably not the former, who is in a league of his own among two-mile chasers in the last 50 years.
On to the more established sorts and I'm convinced Allahois going to have a massive year. He has been a work in progress for the last two seasons but still finished in the places in three Grade 1s, two at Cheltenham over 3m without quite getting home.
Another summer on his back should have strengthened him up as he travelled like the best horse throughout the RSA but, if he doesn't stay, the Ryanair will be his for the taking.
remains the horse to beat in the King George, and he may have a more productive season now he's not going to Cheltenham, while Lostintranslationhas run just one bad race in his life over fences and can take high order again.
The Paul Nicholls-trained Greaneteen is improving fast and can develop into a Queen Mother Champion Chase contender in a division likely to open up this term.
My final selection is Monkfish, who did exceptionally well for such an inexperienced hurdler when winning the Albert Bartlett and could follow in the footsteps of several other winners of that race by developing into a classy staying novice chaser. He should rack up some points before the spring.
Paul Kealy's Ten To Follow
Abacadabras
Allaho
Clan Des Obeaux
Envoi Allen
Epatante
Greaneteen
Lostintranslation
McFabulous
Monkfish
Shishkin
Read more of our experts' Ten To Follow selections:
Face of ITV Racing Ed Chamberlin selects his Tote Ten To Follow
Richard Hoiles sticks with Benie Des Dieux in his Tote Ten To Follow
James Stevens picks wildcard Dashel Drasher for Tote Ten To Follow strike
Henrietta Knight sees shades of Best Mate in superstar novice Envoi Allen
Ribble Valley a top hurdle prospect in Andrew Thornton's Tote Ten To Follow
Mark Boylan is keen to keep leading Gold Cup prospect in his Ten To Follow squad
James Burn is keen on Henderson rising stars Shishkin and Chantry House
Luke Harvey selects Altior to rule the roost again in his Tote Ten To Follow
To find out more details on the Tote Ten To Follow click here
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