Ten To Follow 04.02.2020

Friday 24^th—Doncaster & Huntingdon

Sky Bet Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle (Listed Race)—Fantastic Ms Fox

Pertemps Lady Protectress Mares’ Chase (Listed Race)—Maire Banrigh

The point scoring action for players this week started at Huntingdon as Maire Banrigh put her best foot forward to beat her two rivals comfortably and leave an option of a trip to The Festival^TM well and truly open. Congratulations to David Walters who was the only player to pick the Skelton trained horse and score 20 points.

Saturday 25^th—Cheltenham & Doncaster

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)—Galahad Quest
Paddy Power 45 Sleeps To Cheltenham Trophy Handicap Chase (Grade 3)—Cepage
Paddy Power Cotswold Chase (Grade 2)—Santini
Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)—Harry Senior
galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2)—Paisley Park

Napoleons Casino & Restaurant Owlerton Sheffield Lightning Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)—Mister Fisher
Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)—Ramses De Teillee
Napoleons Casino & Restaurant Owlerton Sheffield Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 2)—Lady Buttons
Sky Bet Handicap Chase—Ok Corral

The first points for players at Cheltenham came courtesy of Cepage who got the better of his rivals in one of the finishes of the day. The Venetia Williams trained horse put in a gusty performance to hold off Spiritofthegames and Lalor up the Cheltenham hill. Well done to Keith Holmes who was the only play to pick up the 25 points for the win! 

There were two popular winners for players after this as Santini confirmed himself as a solid Gold Cup contender, beating home Bristol De Mai in the Cotswold Chase (TTF Bonus Race), scoring 50 points for 63 teams. Later in the card the Cleeve Hurdle saw Paisley Park return to Cheltenham in fine form, justifying his short price to win relatively comfortably in the end. Paisley Park is the second most popular pick in this year’s competition and his win saw 181 teams secure 30 points.

Up at Doncaster there were four point scoring opportunities on the card, with each result scoring points for players. Mister Fisher got us underway, beating Al Dancer by one length and proving himself to be a potential big player come March.  This result scored 30 points for three Ten To Follow teams. Rameses De Teillee struck next, making all under Tom Scudamore to win by an impressive 17 lengths, well done to Michael Moysey who picked up 30 points for the win.

It was the ever-popular Lady Buttons who struck next. In an exciting finish at what appears to be her favourite track the Philip Kirby mare struck the front and ran on well to win by just under three lengths. This result scored 30 points for 11 Ten To Follow teams.

The final result of the week proved to be more the okay for players as Ok Corral kept on gamely to win by half a length to score 20 points for 27 teams.

Saturday 1^st—Sandown Park

Betway Contenders Hurdle (listed Race)—Quel Destin
Betway Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)—Itchy Feet
Betway Heros Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)—Limited Reserve

Quel Destin got the point scoring underway at Sandown Park, staying on well to put in a convincing victory over the short priced favourite Call Me Lord and scoring 20 points for 10 teams. The feature Grade 1 contest came next and Itchy Feet strode clear in the final furlong to win by three and a half lengths and gave trainer Olly Murphy his first Grade 1 win.

Sunday 2^nd—Musselburgh

bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle (Listed Race)—Thyme White

With so many races scoring points for players there has been some change on the Ten To Follow leader board. Leading the way is Alan Wellsteed on 390 and Jon Nuttall isn’t far behind on 345. The full standings can be viewed here.