Stick with proven class to assemble a team fit to challenge for top prize

Whittling a list of more than 500 horses down to just 50 isn’t as hard as it might appear.

That’s because the Tote Ten To Follow competition is one in which it doesn’t pay to stray too far from the obvious. You get no extra points for being particularly clever with one of your picks. You just want to focus on finding Grade 1 winners and that means concentrating on proven ability, which is a quality you’ll find all of the 50 horses in this list have in common.

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I’d even be wary of including novices. Of the 21 bonus races, there are no novice hurdles and just two novice chases. I might be tempted to include some Irish-trained novices, given there are plenty of Grade 1 novice races run in Ireland before the key transfer window in early March, but I’d think carefully before picking any from Britain - only Jonbon, as 4-1 favourite for a bonus race in the Arkle, and Thyme Hill, who could also have major opportunities if sent back over hurdles, make this 50 - and that’s even before getting into any debate about where the balance of power is likely to lie in March.

Speaking of March and the transfer window, you also won’t find any horse in this list likely to have a campaign geared around the Grand National or otherwise unlikely to be seen much before the spring. You want horses to be picking up points soon, and the March transfer window - when you can substitute two horses into your ten - is the time to turn your attention to the National or add any horses who might be coming off the injury list such as Clan Des Obeaux or My Drogo.

A Plus Tard
Henry de Bromhead
Sensational 15-length winner of last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, comprehensively reversing 2021 form with runner-up Minella Indo; had also run away with the Betfair Chase at Haydock and is again set to start back in that bonus race; might not run much (has run only three times in each of the last three seasons) but probably the most likely Gold Cup winner again.

Ahoy Senor
Lucinda Russell
Classy and progressive staying novice chaser last season, peaking with a brilliant win at Aintree in a Grade 1 at the Grand National meeting for the second successive year; looked a lively dark horse in the Gold Cup division on that evidence, although he now has a point to prove after a disappointing reappearance in the Charlie Hall.

Allaho
Willie Mullins
Underlined status as arguably the best chaser around last season, winning four out of four; wide-margin winner of the Ryanair Chase for the second year in a row before a similar demolition job over 3m at Punchestown (first run over the trip since 2020); potential bid for the King George (bonus race) would be fascinating but should be a big scorer wherever he runs.

American Mike has huge potential as a novice hurdlerCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

American Mike
Gordon Elliott
Hyped up throughout last season, especially after storming to a 17-length win in a Listed bumper at Navan; didn’t quite live up to that billing in the spring, though still a good second behind Facile Vega at Cheltenham before a disappointing third at Punchestown; won well on hurdling debut and likely to be among the leading contenders for Grade 1 novice hurdles.

Appreciate It
Willie Mullins
Brilliant unbeaten novice hurdler two seasons ago, winning the Supreme by 24 lengths, but missed nearly all of last season after a setback, finishing seventh in the Champion Hurdle on his only run; finally set to go novice chasing having had plans shelved last term and remains a potential star.

Blazing Khal
Charles Byrnes
Won three out of three novice hurdles last season, most impressively when stepped up to three miles for a second Grade 2 win at Cheltenham over subsequent Grade 1 winner Gelino Bello; had been favourite for the Albert Bartlett until ruled out through injury; sticks to hurdles and could be top class.

Bob Olinger
Henry de Bromhead
Long seen as a superstar in the making but reputation nosedived towards end of last season; still gained a second Cheltenham Festival win but was a poor second until Galopin Des Champs’ exit and then pulled up at Punchestown; goes back over hurdles with plenty to prove but very early to write him off.

Brandy Love
Willie Mullins
Endured a frustrating campaign last term but proved herself top performer in the mares’ novice hurdle division when thrashing Cheltenham winner Love Envoi by eight lengths at Fairyhouse; had hung badly when suffering sole defeat at that track before missing the festival through injury; early favourite for the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Bravemansgame made a sparkling return in the Charlie Hall ChaseCredit: Steve Davies

Bravemansgame
Paul Nicholls
Among last season’s top staying novice chasers despite a frustrating spring and looks to have stepped forward with an impressive reappearance win in the Charlie Hall; had won first four races over fences, including a comprehensive defeat of Ahoy Senor at Kempton, and set to return to that course and distance in the King George as a leading fancy.

Capodanno
Willie Mullins
Smart and progressive novice chaser last season; only fourth in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham but flourished under a more positive ride at Punchestown, running away with a Grade 1; suspicion that win might prove flattering (ordinary race for the grade with Bob Olinger flopping) but further improvement can’t be ruled out.

Chacun Pour Soi
Willie Mullins
Became a six-time Grade 1 winner when easing to a third successive victory in the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown last season; unseated rider in the Champion Chase (beaten at odds-on on two other runs in Britain) before failing to match Energumene at Punchestown; powers possibly starting to fade but could yet have another lease of life over longer trips.

Champ Kiely
Willie Mullins
Has made a terrific return from a long absence this summer, winning twice in novice hurdles more than a year after landing sole bumper; scored by 21 lengths on hurdles debut at Galway and did well to follow up in a Grade 3 at Tipperary; likely to be campaigned in Grade 1 novice hurdles, possibly finding his forte over staying trips.

Chantry House
Nicky Henderson
Has been prolific since going chasing, winning six out of nine races including a Grade 1 double as a novice in 2021, but struggled in top company last season; pulled up in the King George and Cheltenham Gold Cup and also got away with poor jumping when winning the Cotswold Chase; trainer convinced he will be a better horse this season following back surgery.

Conflated
Gordon Elliott
Massive improver last season, stepping out of handicap company to run away with the Irish Gold Cup from Minella Indo; looked set for a well-beaten second when falling two out in the Ryanair Chase before improving back up at three miles when second in the Bowl at Aintree; returned with a respectable third to Envoi Allen at Down Royal and should remain in contention for further Grade 1 honours.

Constitution Hill
Nicky Henderson
Highest-rated winner of a Cheltenham novice hurdle in Racing Post Ratings history on the strength of a sensational 22-length victory in last season’s Supreme, storming home in a remarkably fast time; had also romped home on both previous hurdle runs at Sandown; hugely exciting prospect and strong Champion Hurdle favourite.

Corach Rambler racked up three Cheltenham wins last season, including the Ultima Chase at the festivalCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Corach Rambler
Lucinda Russell
Crowned a tremendous novice season over fences when winning the Ultima Handicap Chase for a third chase win, including two at Cheltenham; stayed on strongly from the rear that day and should get further; could well have another good staying handicap in him, perhaps with bonus points in the Coral Gold Cup.

Dusart
Nicky Henderson
Very lightly raced gelding who still looked a work in progress last season and did well to defy top weight in a novice handicap at Ayr on final run; had jumped markedly left in winning first two races over fences before a battling fifth on ground softer than ideal in the Brown Advisory; exciting prospect who could even improve into a Gold Cup horse.

Edwardstone
Alan King
Britain’s outstanding two-mile novice chaser last season, completing a five-race winning streak in the Arkle at Cheltenham; had also excelled at right-handed Kempton and Sandown plus much sharper Warwick but not quite at his best when second to Gentleman De Mee at Aintree; should be competitive in top chases, including an early bonus race in the Tingle Creek.

El Fabiolo
Willie Mullins
Very lightly raced gelding who ran a huge race for one so inexperienced when a neck second behind Jonbon in a Grade 1 at Aintree on just his third run over hurdles (second for Willie Mullins); won easily down in grade at Punchestown; could well be a top-class novice chaser, with the Arkle a likely target.

Energumene
Willie Mullins
Brilliant chaser who took record to seven wins out of eight over fences with Grade 1 wins at Cheltenham and Punchestown last season; had suffered sole chase defeat in a thriller against Shishkin at Ascot before capitalising on that rival’s flop in the Champion Chase; still improving and definitely the most likely Champion Chase winner.

Envoi Allen
Henry de Bromhead
Looked to have the world at his feet when arriving at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival looking for a third win at the meeting but then endured a tough 18 months before storming back to form by winning the Champion Chase at Down Royal at the weekend; step up to three miles looked a big help and could now be ready to fulfil enormous potential now his relatively new trainer has found the key to him.

Epatante
Nicky Henderson
The 2020 Champion Hurdle winner who scored three times last season to take Grade 1 tally to six; most impressive when stepped up to two and a half miles in the Aintree Hurdle, following Champion Hurdle second behind Honeysuckle, though only third when odds-on at Punchestown on final run; early Grade 1 chance could come again in Constitution Hill’s likely absence in the Fighting Fifth and mares’ races offer further chances.

Facile Vega: hugely impressive in bumpers last season and already favourite for the SupremeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Facile Vega
Willie Mullins
Brilliant bumper performer last season, winning all four races including the big Grade 1 double at Cheltenham and Punchestown; most impressive on quicker ground when showing a stunning turn of foot at Fairyhouse but also ploughed through heavy when winning well at Cheltenham; hugely exciting prospect and already a strong Supreme favourite.

Fakir D’Oudairies
Joseph O’Brien
Three-time Grade 1 winner who has been very well placed to exploit Britain’s shortage of top talent in the last two seasons; easily landed a second successive Melling Chase at Aintree last term to add to Ascot Chase victory; 0-5 at the top level in Ireland outside novice company but should again find winning opportunities in Britain.

Ferny Hollow
Willie Mullins
Immensely promising but fragile gelding who has won his last five races but has run just three times since landing the 2020 Champion Bumper; won a Grade 1 novice chase at Leopardstown last season to become hot favourite for the Arkle only to miss out with a ligament injury; remains capable of brilliance but could be a risky pick given injury issues.

Flooring Porter
Gavin Cromwell
Dual winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, comfortably retaining his crown last season; failed to win in between but was unlucky when second behind Klassical Dream at Leopardstown (lost ground at the start) and was a solid second again behind Sire Du Berlais at Aintree; sets the standard in the staying hurdle division.

Galopin Des Champs
Willie Mullins
Best novice chaser for several years on Racing Post Ratings after a stunning campaign last season; best known for an agonising final-fence spill when thrashing Bob Olinger at Cheltenham but bounced back with a third easy win from three completed chases at Fairyhouse; hugely exciting prospect and big Gold Cup contender given trainer has no concerns about longer trips.

Galvin
Gordon Elliott
High-class staying chaser who progressed into a proper Grade 1 horse last season and even beat A Plus Tard to land the Savills Chase; only fourth behind that rival in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and no match for another superstar, Allaho, when sixth at Punchestown; won on return at that track in October before a disappointing fourth of five behind Envoi Allen at Down Royal; despite that, should remain competitive in Grade 1 chases.

Gentleman De Mee
Willie Mullins
Produced arguably the best performance by a two-mile novice chaser all last season when beating Arkle hero Edwardstone at Aintree; had won just one of first seven races under rules but improved massively as last season went on, following up odds-on wins at Thurles and Navan; has the Tingle Creek (bonus race) and might well go off favourite.

Greaneteen: sparkling return in the Haldon Gold CupCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Paul Nicholls
Three-time Grade 1 winner, all at Sandown, winning the last two runnings of the Celebration Chase either side of a fairytale Tingle Creek victory; unlucky fourth in the 2021 Champion Chase but missed that race last season after a below-par run at Leopardstown; bounced back with a brilliant reappearance win in the Haldon Gold Cup and seemingly better than ever ahead of a repeat bid in the Tingle Creek.

Hitman
Paul Nicholls
Smart and consistent chaser who ran well in defeat in all four runs last season and again when beaten a head in the Old Roan Chase first time out this season; twice second at Grade 1 level, chasing home Greaneteen in the Tingle Creek and Fakir D’Oudairies in the Melling Chase; improvement possible over longer trips.

Honeysuckle
Henry de Bromhead
Prolific mare who has won an astonishing 16 out of 16 under rules, including the last two runnings of the Champion Hurdle among 12 Grade 1 victories; probably dominating a weak division but has been vastly superior (narrowest margin of victory was three lengths last term); should again boss the hurdling scene in Ireland before a Cheltenham showdown with Constitution Hill.

Jonbon
Nicky Henderson
Full brother to Douvan who justified high expectations last season, winning four out of five including a battling success over El Fabiolo in a Grade 1 at Aintree; suffered sole defeat when second to Constitution Hill in the Supreme; should make a fine novice chaser and already Arkle favourite.

Klassical Dream
Willie Mullins
Reinvented as a top staying hurdler since returning from a long injury layoff in April 2021 and has won three Grade 1 races in that time, including at Leopardstown and Punchestown last season; below-par fifth when favourite for the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham; trainer pondering a chase campaign and should be competitive in top races wherever he ends up.

L'Homme Presse: winner of the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival could make up into a Gold Cup contenderCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

L’Homme Presse
Venetia Williams
Crowned a memorable first season over fences with a hugely impressive win over Ahoy Senor in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham in March; possibly over the top when a distant third behind the same rival at Aintree, though not felt to appreciate a greater test of speed by connections; looks a Gold Cup horse but might not be ambitiously campaigned beforehand.

Marie’s Rock
Nicky Henderson
High-class mare who achieved a Grade 1 double at Cheltenham and Punchestown last spring, winning at double-figure prices both times; had been lightly raced prior to last term and improved rapidly to win four of her last five races, benefiting from step up in trip; should again be a big player in top mares’ races.

Mighty Potter
Gordon Elliott
High-class novice hurdler last season, winning two Grade 1 races; beat Three Stripe Life at Leopardstown and bounced back from a poor run at Cheltenham (pulled up in the Supreme) with a dominant success at Punchestown; won well on chasing debut at Down Royal and should prove a leading novice.

Minella Cocooner
Willie Mullins
High-class staying novice hurdler last season; won a 2m6f Grade 1 at Leopardstown and then finished second behind The Nice Guy at Cheltenham and Punchestown, getting much closer on the latter occasion than he had in the Albert Bartlett; should be a high-class staying novice chaser and already favourite for the Brown Advisory.

Minella Indo
Henry de Bromhead
Lost Gold Cup crown to A Plus Tard last season but ran another fine race in second to extend Cheltenham Festival record to two wins and two seconds; generally less effective away from Cheltenham, with second in last season’s Irish Gold Cup his best effort otherwise; still a threat at Cheltenham but best days probably behind him and won’t run before the new year.

Nube Negra
Dan Skelton
Top-class chaser on his day and went close to winning the 2021 Champion Chase; produced that run after a long break and generally seen as best when fresh, winning first time out for the third successive season in last year’s Shloer Chase; failed to build on that, missing the Champion Chase due to soft ground, and might just come up short in top races.

Pied Piper
Gordon Elliott
Has begun this season in fine form, winning at Cheltenham and Down Royal to fuel Champion Hurdle ambitions despite an underwhelming end to juvenile campaign; had finished third in the Triumph Hurdle and was demoted to second at Aintree after dead-heating with Knight Salute; limitations might be exposed again when stepped up in class.

Protektorat
Dan Skelton
Top British contender for last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup in the betting and the race, finishing an honourable third behind A Plus Tard; two previous best runs came at Aintree, including a Grade 1 novice win in 2021, but managed only fourth when favourite for the Bowl there; set to resume rivalry with A Plus Tard in the Betfair Chase.

Royale Pagaille
Venetia Williams
High-class staying chaser who has won his last four races on soft/heavy ground, including a brilliant victory under top weight in last season’s Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock; not quite at that level on a quicker surface, though still second in the Denman Chase and fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup; set to start back at Haydock in the Betfair Chase and couldn’t be ruled out if getting his conditions.

Sharjah
Willie Mullins
Top-class hurdler who matched Istabraq and Hurricane Fly with a fourth successive Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown last Christmas, making it six Grade 1 wins overall; missed the Champion Hurdle with a hip injury having finished second in the two previous runnings; prolific horse who could win more top races if avoiding Honeysuckle.

Shishkin: set to return in the Tingle Creek Chase at SandownCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

Shishkin
Nicky Henderson
Brilliant chaser who took unbeaten record over jumps to ten races when winning an epic clash with Energumene in last season’s Clarence House Chase at Ascot; pulled up early in the Champion Chase and subsequently found to be suffering from a rare bone condition; set to return in the Tingle Creek but physical issues a slight worry.

Sir Gerhard
Willie Mullins
Dual Cheltenham Festival winner, adding last season’s Ballymore to 2021 Champion Bumper victory; coped with step up in trip that day, though had been more impressive over two miles at Leopardstown; subsequently beaten at odds-on at Punchestown for second successive year; long earmarked for novice chases this season but trainer still pondering a Champion Hurdle campaign.

State Man
Willie Mullins
Hugely exciting hurdler who defied lack of experience to win at Cheltenham and Punchestown last season having landed only a maiden hurdle beforehand; hacked up in the County Hurdle off 141 and stepped up in class and trip to become a Grade 1 winner; could well be a Champion Hurdle contender, although novice chases also a possibility.

Three Stripe Life
Gordon Elliott
Classy and consistent novice hurdler last season who thoroughly deserved Grade 1 victory at Aintree having finished second three times at that level, including in the Ballymore; again just came up short against the very best novices when only third behind State Man at Punchestown; could be even better over fences.

Thyme Hill
Philip Hobbs
Dual Grade 1 winner but just came up short against the top staying hurdlers last season; still ran big races when second behind Champ in the Long Walk Hurdle and Flooring Porter in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham; made a good start over fences at Exeter last week and will also have the option of returning to hurdles in a weak division in Britain.

Vauban
Willie Mullins
Outstanding juvenile hurdler last season, winning three Grade 1 races including the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham; extended that superiority over Fil Dor when following up at 4-11 at Punchestown, showing a stunning change of gear; looks a definite Champion Hurdle contender, albeit facing two superstars.

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