Richard Johnson expects Defi Du Seuil to bag Ten To Follow points on his return

The Tote ambassador selects some old favourites and promising youngsters

Defi Du Seuil: posted a career-best effort when landing the Tingle Creek on Saturday

Defi Du Seuil: last season's Tingle Creek winner returns on Sunday and is one of Richard Johnson's Ten To Follow picksCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Defi Du Seuildid so well last season before a slight blip at the Cheltenham Festival where he just didn’t fire for whatever reason. He seems in great form at home and I've schooled him a fair bit. He starts back at Cheltenham in Sunday's Shloer Chase and hopefully he can reappear in the form that saw him win that race 12 months ago.

Thyme Hillwas touched off by a trio of talented Irish raiders in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham. That was only his fourth start over hurdles and he remains the most exciting of prospects. I can't wait to get started on him and the plan is to return in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.

You can enter the £150,000 Tote Ten To Follow here

Another exciting lightly raced one for Philip Hobbs is Sporting John, who lost his unbeaten record at Cheltenham behind Envoi Allen. He disappointed on his return at Exeter on Wednesday but everything he achieved over hurdles last season was just a bonus.

It is hard to put together one of these lists and not include a horse like Shishkin. He was brilliant when winning the Supreme Novices’ at Cheltenham and Nicky Henderson has such a good record converting these top-class hurdlers into chasers. It's clear to see why he is already ante-post favourite for the Arkle without jumping a fence in public.

Envoi Allen made a really impressive chasing debut at Down Royal and looks the real deal. He was the talking horse at last season's festival and didn't disappoint. He didn't put a foot wrong on his chasing debut and will surely go to the very top over fences. He looks a must for any list.

Despite being beaten on his reappearance, last season's Supreme runner-up Abacadabraslooks a lively Champion Hurdle contender. I thought he jumped really well at Down Royal despite getting beaten and just looked to be getting a little tired late on. He's bound to improve bundles for that run and will surely head to Cheltenham again, taking a few decent prizes on the way.

I couldn't leave out as he gave me one of my greatest days in racing. He's back in training again and is reportedly in good shape. Don’t forget he continues to operate at the highest level and he’s unbeaten in two starts since finishing fourth to Al Boum Photo in the 2019 Gold Cup.

Allaho was one of the beaten horses in a terrific finish to last season’s RSA at Cheltenham. He just appeared to get outstayed by Champ and Minella Indo, having looked the most likely winner turning for home. He looks the ideal type for a race like the Ryanair and I'm sure Willie Mullins will have a campaign mapped out for him to take in some prizes on his way to the festival.

I finished second on in the Supreme in 2019 but he never really fired when switching to fences. However, he bounced back to form under a big weight when reverting to hurdles and still has a bright future. Hopefully he can make up for lost time.

My final entry is a darker horse, Everglow, who I really like. He promised plenty in bumpers last term and I know he will pick up some races this season. He's better than he showed on his return.