Ten To Follow 20.02.2019

This week includes:

• Action at Sandown, Wincanton, Haydock and Ascot
• The Grade 1 Ascot Chase 
• The rescheduled Grade 2 Denman Chase

The action started at Sandown where there were two Grade 2 races on Friday. The first of these was won by Glen Forsa, who put in a dominating performance to beat a tired looking Kalashnikov by 19 lengths. The second was won by Queenohearts who stayed on gamely to once again hold off the challenge of Danse Idol and get home in front. Neither of these were point scoring races for players, but both horses could be ones to look out for at Cheltenham next month.

On to Saturday’s action now with 11 point scoring races across the country for players. Wincanton hosted two of these in the form of a Listed contest and a Grade 2. The Listed race saw Atlanta Ablaze comfortably hold two rivals to win by 15 lengths. The Grade 2 was won by Grand Sancy who held off the popular Sceau Royal to land the prize. Congratulations to Ray Bown who was the only player to pick the Paul Nicholls trained horse and secure 30 for the win.

On to Haydock now where Jester Jet finally managed to break her run of 2^nd place finishes to win the Listed Mares’ Hurdle by just a neck. Other winners at the Merseyside racecourse were Shades Of Midnight and Lisnagar Oscar who both landed Grade 2 races, and Robinsfirth who won the Grade 3 race. However, none of these winners were picked by any players, and so no points were scored.

Down at Ascot there were 5 point scoring opportunities. The Listed race was won by the Venetia Williams trained Calipto who held the popular Black Corton to win by just over 2 lengths. The Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle was won by Al Dancer, and the Grade 2 Chase by Mister Malarky. These horses didn’t score points for players, but the other two Ascot results did. The first of these was the Grade 2 Denman Chase and saw King George winner Clan Des Obeaux go off as odds on favourite to win. He did so willingly, comfortably taking the race by 11 lengths, and scoring 30 points for 11 teams. The next was the Grade 1 Ascot Chase where Cyrname put up a truly impressive performance, beating a field of high-class chasers by 17 lengths. This race was a bonus race, scoring 55 points for 5 Ten To Follow teams.

It is getting close at the top of the table with 6 teams on 300 or more points, the full standings can be found here.