Le Milos makes the difference as Dan Skelton fans take over the top of the table

The breathy sound that greeted Constitution Hill’s thumping victory over Epatante and co in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle was partly awestruck gasp but mainly a collective sigh of relief that this wondrous talent is just as good as hoped by all in racing.

The Nicky Henderson camp will of course have led that chorus of sighs but there will have been plenty of Tote Ten to Follow players who were also mightily relieved that the second most popular horse in the competition after A Plus Tard had come through his return unscathed and bursting with the promise of glory to come.

In winning the Fighting Fifth, Constitution Hill secured 27.35 points for 71.9 per cent of Ten to Follow stables who, in hindsight, will have been pleased by the decision to withdraw him from Ascot the previous weekend as the Coral Hurdle is a Grade 2 race, whereas the Fighting Fifth is a Grade 1 and that means 25 points in the bag instead of 20.

His was certainly the most popular Ten To Follow victory of the weekend, but for the 1.2 per cent of stables which have included Le Milos the Coral Gold Cup was of greater significance as the winner picked up 47.80 points, including an extra 25 for a bonus race.

It was certainly of vital importance to the top three teams in the competition: Deldode16, 2XLCityHunter1 and Racing Wrexham, all of whom are clearly fans of the Dan Skelton stable as they include the Protektorat-Le Milos combination that has swept up the big chases on the last two Saturdays.

L'Homme Presse and Charlie Deutsch on their way to victory in the Rehearsal Chase at NewcastleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Neither of the first two teams has Constitution Hill on board but the top three all include another impressive winner whose return at Newcastle was keenly anticipated in L’Homme Presse. He picked up 18.70 points for 22.2 per cent of stables and advanced his claims as a serious Cheltenham Gold Cup hope.

Others to score in recent days were Champ, who got the better of a battle with Paisley Park to earn 23.78 points, while McFabulous picked up 23 points.

The Big Dog landed the biggest haul in Ireland: 26.70 points from the Troytown Chase at Navan. He could have his sights on the Grand National on the final day of the Ten To Follow campaign.

The Latest Standings

LEADING HORSES
1 Protektorat 60.70 points
2 Home By The Lee 52.50
3 Le Milos 47.80
4 McFabulous 35.00
5 Bass Rock 28.10
6 Botox Has 27.50
7 Constitution Hill 27.35
8 I Like To Move It 27.30
9 The Big Dog 26.70
10 State Man 26.40

LEADING TEAMS
1 Deldode16 189.60 points
2 2XLCityHunter1 177.92
3 Racing Wrexham 165.95
4 Iansera1 163.25
5 Milesahead Stables 162.25
6 Daijac69 159.63
7 Bl34 158.05
8 Cloudy Rose 3 157.05
9 Colinsnags9 156.95
10 Paul Beadle 156.95

LEADER'S TEAM
Protektorat 60.70 points
Le Milos 47.80
State Man 26.40
Ga Law 23.30
L’Homme Presse 18.70
Delta Work 12.70
Ferny Hollow 0.00
Gentleman De Mee 0.00
Honeysuckle 0.00
Sir Gerhard 0.00

To catch up with all the latest news on running plans read:

Tingle Creek cracker on cards before return of Honeysuckle in Hatton's Grace

'He's getting better and stronger' - Piper among huge Elliott Leopardstown team

Ferny Hollow taken out of Tingle Creek with Shishkin and Greaneteen on course

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