Ten Up...

Dear All

After much soul-searching, midnight oil incendiary and copious mugs of Twinings, I am ready to announce my ten horses to follow...

The list below is MY list i.e. those animals I believe, irrespective of punting value, points potential or status will win races during what is certain to be a fascinating National Hunt season especially as the ongoing whip controversy seems destined to impact on how races will be run for the foreseeable future. I will be disappointed if these don't win at least 20 races between them.

Not in any particular order:

I bet Barry Geraghty cannot wait to get the leg up on DARLAN who was oh so impressive when winning an egg and spoon bumper at Haydock Park in April. He simply powered away from opponents who were, admittedly, no better than trees. Regally born from one of the Aga Khan's stoutly bred bloodlines and trained by a master craftsman when it comes to hurdling types; I predict a huge future for this strong galloping sort

Champion of the two-mile chase division looks up for grabs this season so the high-class FINIAN'S RAINBOW another from the all conquering yard of Nicky Henderson, looks to have it at his mercy. I am not convinced he is as high-class as the two-mile champions from the recent past but challengers for the crown are thin on the ground and, especially away from Cheltenham - he may not find his best form there - he will mop up the top races at Sandown Park, Ascot and Newbury.

HURRICANE FLY is not going to make you rich but he is by some way the best 2-mile hurdler since Istabraq and I think he will prove it this season with a minimum of four victories culminating with a Champion Hurdle success in March. If he stays sound, he will surely emulate the great Ballydoyle champion and win three Champion Hurdles...

MEGASTAR is a huge animal. He shaped full of promise in his early starts but his big, gross frame was unsuited to hurdling and it is only now that he has filled out somewhat. Chasing will see him achieve his potential and hit the heights. He was last of three in a Beginners' Chase at Ascot on Saturday but shaped promisingly; the best is yet to come...

Another who seems certain to benefit from another summer on his back is RUBI LIGHT after a tenacious performance in the Ryanair Chase last March. Bred in France by a German sire; his best trip currently seems uncertain (most of his outings have been concentrated at 2 and a half miles) but plans to step up to 3 and beyond are apparently on the agenda. Plenty of class and youth on his side; I have high hopes for Robert Hennessey's Network gelding...

If Long Run doesn't win the Gold Cup then TIME FOR RUPERT does. It is no coincidence that before Saturday's Charlie Hall at Wetherby, this Flemensfirth gelding's last six outings had been at Cheltenham. Paul Webber did not have him cherry-ripe although he still managed to pull miles clear of some very top-class types, a fitter Weird Al. Last autumn's novice chase successes withstand the closest inspection and to finish 5th in the RSA Chase when clearly a sick horse (he laboured almost from flag fall) was an extraordinary effort. He is all class!

RIVERSIDE THEATRE exudes class also; despite his formidable record and especially since he is stabled at Seven Barrows he has still somehow managed to dip a tad below the radar. Assuming he returns from injury unscathed and at the same level of performance he is a Grade One animal of the highest order.

GO ALL THE WAY ran in three high class bumpers in 2010 and 2011. The gelded son of Milan didn't win any of them but shaped like a good horse; one that was going to take high rank amongst this year's crop of staying novice hurdlers.

I made a note of DEFINITY last spring; just the type of progressive animal that the Master of Ditcheat handles so well. A son of Definite Article and Irish Grand National-winning mare, Ebony Jane, he is screaming out for a step up in trip; his pedigree packed full of stamina including Roselier; his dam sire on the distaff side for instance. The Nicholls factor will impact a little on the price but he is a dark one nevertheless.

REVE DA SIVOLA has been a fine stamp of a horse for some time; I remember seeing his
early races over hurdles; he was as tough as teak even then and this season I think he will come of age and win at least one major staying handicap chase when stamina is at a premium...

There you have it, a cornucopia of talented bloodstock.

I could have included many more - MOSSLEY, LOOSEN MY LOAD, WISHFULL THINKING, NOBLE PRINCE, FIRST LIEUTENANT, QUITO DE LA ROQUE, LONG RUN, MR MOONSHINE, CHAMPION COURT, OSCAR WHISKY AND JESSIE'S DREAM were all considered and discarded by the finest of margins.

Good luck - let me know your own horses to follow for this season.

Enjoy the spectacle!

Rm (Mark)

Back in the saddle...

BACK TOMORROW WITH MY TEN TO FOLLOW TO WIN:

THE TOTE/RACING POST COMPETITION,
MONEY FROM THE BOOKMAKERS
PLENTY OF RACES

Racehorsing Man