Paul Kealy: with Lucki on your side you can go far in the Ten To Follow

It rarely proves a good idea to be too clever when it comes to the Ten To Follow, and if isn't the most popular horse among the entries it will be a surprise.

With most of last season's top novice hurdlers going chasing, there isn't much of a new guard to worry about and we already know she's miles better than the old guard.

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The staying game is a little more difficult over hurdles, but if Willie Mullins gets a full season out of Klassical Dream he is going to prove the one to beat if he doesn't go over fences.

He was right back to his best when scoring over 3m at Punchestown and that performance actually made him the best hurdler of the season according to Racing Post Ratings.

As for the chasers, it is expected that Shishkin and Energumene will carry all before them on either side of the Irish Sea before meeting in the Champion Chase. That might be the case, but Shishkin could have his feathers ruffled by Chacun Pour Soi in the Tingle Creek and will likely be wrapped up in cotton wool for most of the season, so it makes sense to go with , who is just as exciting and may run a few more times, not against Chacun Pour Soi.

Energumene may be a better proposition for the Tote Ten To Follow than ShishkinCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

It will be interesting to see what route connections go down with Envoi Allen this season, but Allaho surely remains the one to beat in the intermediate division, with his trainer suggesting that a return to 3m is unlikely.

I'm not too sure about Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, as the King George is apparently his next target even though he is seemingly better on a left-handed track.

Dual King George winner Clan Des Obeaux is very much my pick for that, especially as he's going straight there, and he'll bag plenty of points without the need to pay a visit to Cheltenham.

In the novice division, Galopin Des Champs has to be on your list after winning the Martin Pipe for Mullins before his Grade 1 victory over 3m at Punchestown. Mullins' three previous winners of the Martin Pipe were Sir Des Champs, Don Poli and Killultagh Vic and if Galopins Des Champs is as good as the worst of those he'll pay his way handsomely.

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I'm less convinced about Appreciate It in the 2m division as I think he won a terrible Supreme, irrespective of the margin, and he's already seven and by Jeremy, who gets his share of dodgy jumpers over fences.

One who isn't a dodgy jumper is Third Time Lucki, and while it's wise not to get too carried away this early in the season, I think we'll do well to see a better British 2m novice chaser this term.

From the same Dan Skelton yard, My Drogo has to be on the list as he was probably the best of the British novice hurdlers last season despite not going to Cheltenham. If he jumps as well as reported, he's an exciting prospect.

There is of course, no more exciting prospect than Bob Olingerin training, and he is surely a must for the list.

I'll throw in one handicapper as well, as I think is potentially very well handicapped and could be the answer to the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

He would have gone very close against two promising second-season chasers in Eldorado Allen and Hitman in the Haldon Gold Cup had he been able to run off his correct mark and he's been crying out for a step up in trip.

PAUL KEALY'S TEN TO FOLLOW
Allaho
Bob Olinger
Clan Des Obeaux
Energumene
Galopin Des Champs
Honeysuckle
Klassical Dream
My Drogo
Third Time Lucki
Zanza

Read more on the Tote Ten To Follow:

Graeme Rodway: keeping it simple can pay off in search of bonus points

Richard Birch: Bear Ghylls will tough it out with the best this winter

Keith Melrose: You can bag big early scores by including Clan Des Obeaux

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