The totesport and Racing Post Ten to Follow competition is about to get under way, and with big money payouts for the overall top 10 scoring entries, plus monthly and special meeting prizes, it would be daft not to have a go. Full rules and entry forms can be found elsewhere but, for what it’s worth, here are my ten to follow, with a few ante post (best) odds thrown in for good measure.
GETAWAY - Will be in many lists but he has to be included judged on his demolition job in the Jockey Club Stakes. After that performance, he rates the leading contender for bonus races like the King George and Arc, so it’s hard not to see him scoring plenty of points.
King George - 3/1 Boylesports
CURTAIN CALL - Missed the Lingfield Derby Trial, which I expected him to win, and now heads straight to Epsom with the least negatives of all the horses at the top of the Derby market: stoutly bred; sure to improve at 1m4f; and trained by the brilliant Luca Cumani. What price a Derby-St Leger double?
The Derby - 5/1 bet365
SAIL - Propelled herself from twice-raced maiden to genuine Oaks contender by winning the Cheshire Oaks. The way she quickened and stayed on at Chester was impressive as far as the Classic is concerned, and she might just be in a similar mould to Peeping Fawn, who was a prolific points scorer for last season.
Oaks - 8/1 Paddy Power
NEW APPROACH - Lost his unbeaten record in the 2000 Guineas and goes into this weekend’s re-match with Henrythenavigator with the score between them at one-all. I seriously fancy him to reverse the form now that he is fully fit and his trainer has an ambitious programme earmarked for him. Should stay 1m2f.
Irish 2000 Guineas - 6/4 888sport
ZARKAVA - Brilliant French-trained filly who is unbeaten in four starts, her most recent victory coming in the French 1000 Guineas, where she showed a dazzling turn of foot. Goes next for the French Oaks over 1m2f, which should be a gimme, and then is sure to remain a major player at Group 1 level.
YEATS - Another ‘banker’ who is probably going to win the Ascot Gold Cup again and could also have the Irish St Leger in his sights. As both are bonus races, he has to be included.
Ascot Gold Cup - 6/4 Ladbrokes
US RANGER - Yet to win a Group race but emerged from last week’s Duke of York Stakes with plenty of credit, running on strongly having been drawn on the wrong side of the track away from where the main action was taking place. Sure to run in all the right races and this could be his year.
Golden Jubilee Stakes - 10/1 Stan James
ASK - With seven of the bonus races over 1m2f-1m4f open to older horses, we should get plenty of mileage out this lightly-raced five-year-old, who showed his versatility to win when dropped to 1m 2f on his reappearance. Has a glut of Group 1 entries.
Prince of Wales Stakes - 29/2 Betfair
WINKER WATSON - Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam reckons this will be his best three-year-old and that will do for me. Missed the 2000 Guineas following a setback but, as a son of the sprinter Piccolo, he is likely to be seen to best effect over distances short of a mile, starting off with the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot over 7f.
PHOENIX TOWER - Lost his unbeaten record in the Lockinge but that was still a career-best effort and he looks to be going places. Henry Cecil’s colt is another with plenty of options at a range of distances.
Good luck!
