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With the opportunity to claim Tote Ten to Follow points wearing thin as all British racing has come to an end until May, we review five of the best performances in the competition this season.

The competition is not only about finding the best horses that will compete at the top level all season, but also top quality horses that could be long prices in bonus races. That brings us very nicely onto the first bonus race of the season, the Ladbrokes Trophy.

 

De Rasher Counter - Ladbrokes Trophy - 60.9 Points

The first Bonus Race of the season came on the opening day of the Tote Ten to Follow competition. The deadline passed at 12.00pm for all stables to be entered and at 3 o'clock the yellow flag was raised at Newbury for the start of the Ladbrokes Trophy.

There was lots of support for West Approach coming into the race with his patient performance at Cheltenham two weeks prior to this but when he unseated Robbie Power so early in the race, it was left open wide for the taking.

The fancied On The Blind Side and Cabaret Queen had to be pulled up under Nico De Boinville and Paul Townend. Ok Corral was ridden by Aidan Coleman as Barry Geraghty was on Buveur D’Air at Newcastle. He made no impression on Nicky Henderson’s nine-year-old.

Instead, it was young Ben Jones on board De Rasher Counter who took the initiative and led four from home. With a 5lb allowance, he stayed on very strongly ahead of the now Ultima champion, The Conditional, to win at a Tote price of £17.30 and £3.60 place to claim 60.9 points for just over 1,700 stables.

De Rasher Counter was leading the competition until Potters Corner beat Truckers Lodge in the Welsh National on 27th December.

 

Clan Des Obeaux - King George - 57.8 Points

The King George at Kempton is always one of the most anticipated races of the year. This year especially as the highest-rated chaser, at the time, Cyrname, was going to take on the defending champion from the same yard, Clan Des Obeaux, as well as Lostintranslation, who had won the Betfair Chase the month prior. The Minion colours were aiming for the second part of the triple crown.

There were rumours flying around that Altior was going to be entered for the race. Harry Cobden had to make the difficult decision on whether to ride Clan Des Obeaux, whom he won on last year, or to go for Cyrname who was the first horse to beat Altior since the start of his 19-race unbeaten record which included 10 Grade 1s. He opted for the latter and what a mistake this turned out to be.

Lostintranslation had to be pulled-up three from home much to the disappointment of Paul Taylor and Richard O’Dwyer. He was struggling with a wind problem on the soft ground so then went on to have an operation which very nearly brought them the Gold Cup.

Harry Cobden, on Cyrname, could only watch as Clan Des Obeaux raced away to a 21 length victory with Sam Twiston-Davies, Paul Nicholls’ former stable jockey taking the ride. He managed to pick up 57.8 points for that victory which 8,000 stable owners would have particularly enjoyed.

 

Pic D’Orhy - Betfair Hurdle - 94 Points

Having finished 10th in the Triumph Hurdle on his first start in Britain in 2019, Pic D’Orhy took his time getting used to the environment and a very successful yard with Paul Nicholls. He fell on his second start when back in France at Auteuil and then was convincingly beaten by Thomas Darby at Ascot in January.

Johnny De La Hey and Paul Nicholls’ five-year-old went to Newbury without much form and with long odds of £68.20 on the Tote.

There was a dramatic final flight as Lightly Squeeze fell when still in with a good shout. He brought down Mack The Man and Harambe who were also improving.

However, from that moment it was a four-horse-race as Sir Valentine, Remiluc, Ciel De Neige and Pic D’Orhy took the advantage. At first, it looked as though JP McManus’s Ciel De NEige had done enough but Harry Cobden and Pic D’Orhy fought back and managed to claim 94 points from the most valuable handicap in Britain.

 

Put The Kettle On - Arkle - 71.9 Points

Henry De Bromhead’s Put The Kettle On produced a textbook round of jumping to land the Arkle in superb style. She was something of a forgotten horse in the lead up to the race and indeed went off at £18.60 on the day.

However, it is a surprise she didn’t stand out more in the betting with a victory at Cheltenham over Al Dancer in November. But the six-year-old mare clearly loves the game and has the class required to hold her own in top Grade 1 company. 

Her victory means she walked away with 71.9 points which leaves her in 8th position on the top scorers' list. Having only had one run that falls under the rules, take nothing away from this mare, that was a classy performance.

She will be geared toward the Champion Chase next year which is hugely exciting. With Altior quickly turning 11 and no star in the division, it is open to some new talent and this excellent mare fits the bill as one to find her place in the conversation. Her love of Cheltenham will obviously help her cause. 

 

Lisnagar Oscar - Stayers Hurdle - 146.4 Points

Crowds gathered on Day 3 of the Festival to catch a glimpse of Emma Lavelle’s and Andrew Gemmell’s staying star, Paisley Park. The wonder horse was bidding for a second win in this race and the whole of Britain was cheering on this wonder horse with a beautiful story. But it was not meant to be.

This time it was the underdogs that went home with the victory as Rebecca Curtis got her first Festival win since 2015. Lisnagar Oscar turned for home after Apples Jade went round at a blistering pace.

Lisnagar Oscar only finished four lengths behind Paisley Park on Trials Day so the long odds of £85.70 came as a little bit of a surprise, especially considering he has only finished outside of the top three on three of his 13 appearances.

146.4 points ensure he holds the top spot on the leaderboard and the 1,157 stables that had picked him out would have flown up the leaderboard.


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