Angus McNae picks his team for the The Tote Ten To Follow Competition. You have until 11am on November 13 to enter. Click here for more details. CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO THE TOTE TEN TO FOLLOW COMPETITION 1. ALLAHO
He was sensational when landing the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham. It's worth remembering that he thumped a top-class field winning by 12 lengths. More Grade One success awaits this year and a crack at the King George VI Chase may well be on the cards, for which he is an 8-1 shot.
2. APPRECIATE IT
This horse was the leading novice hurdler last season, winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in tremendous fashion. Should he go chasing, the Arkle is well within his compass. Failing that, he could become a leading hope for the Champion Hurdle.
3. BOB OLINGER
The best staying novice hurdler last year looks set to make up into a Grade One winning chaser. He is scopey and athletic and I would not be surprised were he to become a Cheltenham Gold Cup horse in the next couple of seasons. For now, the Brown Advisory Chase at the Festival looks to be ideal for him.
4. CHACUN POUR SOI
Don’t give up on this top class two-miler. He is a five-time Grade One winner who put up a superb performance on the clock when beating Allaho at Punchestown last time out. He was previously below his best at the Cheltenham Festival but talk of him not getting up the hill there is premature, and he will give Shishkin plenty to think about in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
5. FERNY HOLLOW
Ferny Hollow remains a bright prospect (Focusonracing)
He has clearly had his problems, but his Champion Bumper win from Appreciate it was a superb performance considering what that horse has done since. His one race over hurdles saw him beat Bob Olinger and, while that was almost a year ago, he remains a top-class prospect.
6. HONEYSUCKLE
The Champion Hurdle looks to be a shade thin on quality and therefore why shouldn’t Honeysuckle retain her crown? Her career record reads 12/12 and it's tough to see which horse will emerge to challenge her dominance in this division.
7. KILCRUIT
This is a smart hurdling prospect. He was runner–up in the Champion Bumper before winning at Punchestown. Whether he is pointed at the Ballymore or the Supreme Novices at Cheltenham, he will be a leading player.
8. MINELLA INDO
He was a superb winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and I can see him backing that up. He is only 8 and has had just eight races over fences. More Grade One success is surely on the cards.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO THE TOTE TEN TO FOLLOW COMPETITION 9. SHEWEARSITWELL
I think the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham is a likely target for this mare. She is lightly raced, and we have not seen her since a win at Tipperary in 2020 in a fast time. She looked smart that day and trainer Willie Mullins is very good with mares who return off lay-offs. A bit left field, but she could be missed by many.
10. SHISHKIN
He provided a rare chink of light for the home team at the Festival last season, winning the Arkle by an imperious 12 lengths. He is being touted as the new Sprinter Sacre. He is not that good, yet, but his potential to reach such heights remains intact.
Key terms:
£5/€5.50 per stable in the paid game. Guaranteed min. total prize pool of £100,000 (or € equivalent) with prizes paid for first 500 places (see full terms for details). Maximum one entry per person in the free game for race course membership and ticket prizes. Entries close at 11am GMT 13th November 2021. UK and ROI only. Full Terms and Conditions apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org