Ten To Follow Jumps Update

Posted 1 year ago

The Ten To Follow 2019/2020 Jumps competition is here! This update includes:

  • A first look at the 2019/2020 standings
  • A roundup of the action from the Cheltenham November meeting
  • Our first two bonus races of the competition

There was a delayed start to the action at Cheltenham as the first day of the November meeting was unfortunately abandoned.

Saturday 16th–Cheltenham

Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)—Thyme Hill
JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)—Allmankind
BetVictor Smartcards Handicap Chase (Grade 3)—West Approach
BetVictor Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)—Happy Diva
Spinal Injuries Association Big Buck’s Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race)—Golan Fortune
Karndea Designflooring Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed Race)—Urban Artist

Saturday was an action packed day at Cheltenham and there were some popular wins for Ten To Follow players. Thyme Hill got 30 teams off to a winning start, putting in a commanding performance to win by 3 lengths, securing 30 points in the process. The next winner was Allmankind, well done to Trevor Shaw who was the only player to pick the Dan Skelton trained horse. Trevor Shaw struck again in the next race with West Approach, and this time he was joined by Joseph Williams who also selected the Tizzard trained horse.

Sunday 17th–Cheltenham 

Racing Post #responsiblegambling Arkle Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)—Put The Kettle On
Shloer Chase (Grade 2)—Defi Du Seuil
Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)—Harambe
Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)—Hang In There
High Sheriff Of Gloucestershire And Racing Remember Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed)—Israel Champ

There was only point scoring winner on the Sunday at Cheltenham, and that was Philip Hobbs’ stable star Defi Du Seuil who kept on strongly up the Cheltenham home straight to pass Politologue and take the prize scoring 30 points for 112 teams.

Saturday 23rd–Ascot & Haydock park

Christy 1965 Chase (Grade 2)—Cyrname
Coral Hurdle (Grade 2)—If The Cap Fits

Read Paul Nicholls Exclusively At Betfair Newton Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race)—Thebannerkingrebel
Betfair Best Odds On ITV Races Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)—Stoney Mountain
Betfair Chase (Grade 1)—Lostintranslation

Saturday was a huge day of racing for jumps fans as the long awaited showdown between Altior and Cyrname finally played out. It was Cyrname who came out on top, making all and jumping well to get home in front and score 30 points for 120 teams. The next race saw If The Cap Fits make a winning start after a 231 day break beating Call Me Lord by half a length.

Only one of the three winners up at Haydock scored points for players, but what a winner it was. Lostintranslation confirmed his promise as a top notch chaser and made himself antepost favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March in the process. This was a popular result for players, with 152 teams scoring 35 points. 

Monday 25th–Kempton Park  

Racing TV Mares’ Hurdle (Listed)—Papagana

Friday 29th–Newbury 

Ladbrokes “Where The Nation Plays” Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)—Champ 
Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle (Grade 2)—Paisley Park

There were two high profile winners at Newbury on Friday starting with Champ who managed to maintain his unbeaten record over the bigger obstacles despite almost going on another lap of the racecourse. This result was another popular one for players, scoring 30 points for 130 teams. Another good result came courtesy of Paisley Park, the second most selected horse in this year’s competition with 177 picks.

Saturday 30th–Newbury & Newcastle

Ladbrokes “Where The Nation Plays” Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race)—Floressa
Ladbrokes John Francome Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)—Danny Whizzbang
Ladbrokes “Where The Nation Plays” Intermediate Hurdle (Listed Race)—Epatante
Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (Grade 3)—De Rasher Counter

Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1)—Cornerstone Lad
Betfair Rehearsal Handicap Chase (Listed Race)—Takingrisks

It was a good start for Nicky Henderson on Saturday as Floressa kept on well under Nico de Boinville in the first at Newbury to claim the Listed prize. Well done to 5 players who secured 20 points with the victory. This was the only winner of the day at Newbury that secured points for players.

Up at Newcastle the Fighting Fifth provided racegoers with their first opportunity of the season to see Buveur D’Air in action. However, it was the big priced Cornerstone Lad that got home in front under a fantastic ride from Henry Brooke. After the race it emerged that Buveur D’Air had picked up an injury, so we wish him all the best in his recover. The final race of the day saw another big priced winner as Takingrisks kept on strongly to win under Sean Quinlan and secure 20 points for Mrs Fitch & Mr Dixon.


With all this action on the racecourse there is already a big spread on the leaderboard. Previous Ten To Follow winner Alan Wellsteed has got off to a flying start with four of his teams in joint first place alongside Grenville Davies. Paul Smith and Derek Latham aren’t far behind and with so much exciting action still to come it's all to play for. The full standings can be viewed here.

Position Name Score
1 Alan Wellsteed (2) 185
1 Alan Wellsteed (12) 185
1 Grenville Davies (3) 185
1 Alan Wellsteed (1) 185
1 Alan Wellsteed (11) 185
6 Paul Smith (2) 175
6 Derek Latham (2) 175
8 Derek Latham (1) 170
9 Alan Wellsteed (6) 155
9 Gary Hutt (14) 155