2011:POTENTIALLY BEST FLAT SEASON EVER -MY TEN TO FOLLOW

To me the 2011 Flat season, really has the makings of one of the best ever and the Qipco 2000 Guineas marks the start of the quality stuff.
With some seriously good three-year-olds, from last season kept in training as older horses, taking on some potentially top notch ones this year, there should be some magical clashes later in the season when the young pretenders take on the older brigade.
With the 2011 Flat Totesport Ten To Follow Competition about to start this weekend with the Guineas meeting at Newmarket, its time to air my own particurlar fancies. Every year I have a pop at this comp and the value for money, for a season's long entertainment you will find very hard to beat. I have also set up our own version of the competition, which will give some of South London's finest bar stool tipsters a bit of fun throughout the season and ultimate bragging rights.

So here goes, my ten to go to war with and with all my hopes and dreams pinned on, are as follows;

1.FRANKEL(pictured above) a 3-y-o colt trained by Henry Cecil.
Not original but was top class last season as a 2-y-o and wrapped up a stellar season by taking the Dewhurst in convincing style.This followed his demolition job at Ascot at the QEII meeting, which marked him down as something special. There have been many of these spectacular 2-y-o's that have flattered to deceive and not delivered the goods at three, but I definitely think that this horse is not one of those.He has come out and won the Greenham this season, despite still looking green, in need of the race and having his pacemaker fail to set a strong enough pace for him to settle. The fact he still won marks him down as the real deal, he will come on stacks for that run and surely looks head and shoulders above his rivals for the 2000 Guineas. Trained by the master Henry Cecil, who rates him one of his best ever, he can mop up some top races before he clashes with his elders later in the season. I am not sure that he is an Epsom Derby horse, but that won't stop him winning some big pots this season.

2.WORKFORCE(left) a 4-y-o colt trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

A Derby and Arc winner, kept in training as a 4-y-o by a trainer who has a magic touch of improving horses as they get older is a must have selection. Shown here bravely battling on to win the Prix De L'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, he can only get better as he ages and given his physical scope for improvement can win some top races this season. Though in the same ownership as Frankel I hope they meet in races like the Eclipse or King George later in the season. That would be a sight to behold.Will be trained to defend his Arc crown in the Autumn.  

3.MISTY FOR ME(below) a 3-y-o filly trained by A.O'Brien 

Was twice a Group 1 winner last season in the Moyglare on quick ground and the Prix Marcel Boussac on very soft ground, showing herself as very adaptable. Definitely one to watch this season and should run very well in the 1000 Guineas this weekend.Whether she will be ready first time up, is one thing, but she should go close as all she did was improve last backend. Beat the smart Helleborine on her final start last year and with her normally slow starting stable in good form early this season has got a real chance in the fillies classic. Could develop into an Oaks filly, either here or in Ireland.

4.RODERIC O'CONNOR a 3-y-o colt trained by A.O'Brien
There was no shame in finishing 2nd to Frankel in last season's Dewhurst as he did pull clear of the third that day and wasn't beaten too far. Went on to win a Group 1 in France after that run, despite hanging all the way to the line.Can only improve this year and though should run well in the 2000 Guineas where he should finish in the first three, I think 1m2f plus will be his trip. Like his chance in the Epsom Derby as looks more likely than Frankel to be suited by that course as he is not overly big.

5.SEVILLE a 3-y-o colt trained by A.O'Brien
Ran a cracker to finish 2nd to Casamento in last season's Racing Post, where he stayed on really well over the mile trip that day. Bred to stay middle distances, I think this one can go really well in either the English or Irish Derby's, but actually fancy him to develop into a serious St Leger horse later in the season.

6.CANFORD CLIFFS a 4-y-o colt trained by R.Hannon
What a top notch miler this one was last season and added to the way jockey Richard Hughes rides him, is as good a traveller in a race, that I can remember.Will surely win a decent prize this season and races like the Lockinge and the Sussex Stakes are his for the taking.

7.GOLDIKOVA a 6-y-o mare trained by F.Head
Admirable French mare who won some really top races last season, this year will be geared up much the same, with all roads leading to another Breeder's Cup bid. Can shine at Royal Ascot and Longchamp in what could be her final season before heading off to the paddocks to stud.

8.LILY OF THE VALLEY a 4-y-o filly trained by J.C.Rouget
Top class French filly last season which included a stylish win in the Group 1 Prix De l'Opera getting up late to win easier than the winning margin showed. Her style of running tells me she should stay 1m4f and this one can land some nice races in her native France before coming over for Royal Ascot. Can clean up against her own sex.

9.SO YOU THINK a 5-y-o colt trained by A.O'Brien
Aussie superstar who ran an absolute cracker to finish 3rd in the Melbourne Cup last year over the 2 mile trip. However his best trip could be 1m2f, a distance he hasn't been beaten over yet. Bought by connections out of Australian legend Bart Cummings' stable to run in Europe, he must be a strong fancy to win some top class Group 1 races. Trainer Aidan O'Brien has excelled with Aussie imports in the past such as Haradasun and Starspangledbanner.

10.WIGMORE HALL a 4-y-o gelding trained by M.Bell
A real definite improver and can progress into an established Group 1 performer. Started this season in great fashion winning a Group 2 in Meydan and even though the 3rd that day Presvis has turned the form around in a Group 1 since, I think Wigmore Hall was unlucky in running that day.Due to run in Sha Tin in a Group 1 on Sunday and can hopefully run well before running in some top class races in Europe this summer.Can see this one catching out a few of the established stars and get better and better as he gets older.

RESERVE: SNOW FAIRY a 4-y-o filly trained by E.Dunlop
Would have made the original ten but has suffered an injury which will keep her out until Royal Ascot at least in June. A tough filly who won four Group 1's in four different countries last season,she is likely to improve with age and will be one to keep on the right side later in the season. Her performances last year mark her down as an exceptional talent and she can follow in the hoofprints of the great Ouija Board who was also trained by Ed Dunlop. We can sub her in in July.

So there you have it, a finer team I doubt you will see! Well thats what I always feel before the comp starts,anyway! I am sure these will pay their way and hope to make a profit out of them, but whatever happens, it will be interesting to see how they perform. This is surely my year.
You can follow my tips on the great Olbg tipping site, where there are real cash prizes on offer for free, as well as a great community feel to the website. Just google Olbg and sign up.
Also if you like the photos, please check them out on my website Randy Rann's Racing Images (http://randyrannracing.foliopic.com/).

Good luck and enjoy the races.

Randy Rann.

TOTESPORT;TEN TO FOLLOW

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls marks our card!

2010 Champion Hurdle Winner Binocular,would like to see him in that rug again in 2011. Here he's telling Channel 4's Alice Plunkett, how he did it!

Long Run, hopefully connections will be happier this season.

MY TEN TO FOLLOW:NH SEASON 2010-11

Friday 12th November 2010.

With the Totesport: Ten To Follow about to blast off today & lists of horses flying around everywhere, I thought, everyone has an opinion, so why not share mine. Entries are all in and no-one can steal my list, thus halving my winnings!! For what its worth the following ten horses are the ones all my dreams and hopes are pinned to. I have been entering this competition since the very first one and hope, like every other single person, believe, that THIS year is finally my turn. Half a millioin quid will do very nicely! Seriously though, the way I have been tipping recently, punters may want to lay, lay, lay the lot of them!

Hopefully though, the following ten will do me justice and score loads of points. I am hoping for a shift in power away from the established stars and am pinning my hopes that a lot of lists that contain them will all go west. I will probably end up with egg on my face when Denman wins the Hennessy, Kauto the King George etc, etc..... but sometimes you have to take a risk and think outside the box.

The competition is strongly in favour towards the chasers with 10 of the 14 bonus races chase races. I reckon that 3 hurdlers and 7 chasers, was the way to go, with selections specifically targeted at as many of those bonus races as possible.

So here goes, here are my ten to go to war with, at the very least I will be logging their progress to see if a profit in punting them can be achieved.

1.LONG RUN(5yo)N.Henderson

This one could be the real deal, ran a cracker to finish 3rd, for such a young horse in the RSA at The Cheltenham Festival. Raced keenly that day and didn't quite home, but another year on will no doubt mean he's more the finished article. Looks a must have, as has early bonus race,The Paddy Power Gold Cup as his target and could even develop into a serious player in The King George at Kempton in December. Nice big scopey type who looks a top notch stayer in the making. Surely will go close in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and is a long term star in the making.

2.BINOCULAR(6yo)N.Henderson

Started season poorly last year, but really delivered when landing The Champion Hurdle last season. He could not have won that more impressively and his slick jumping was a joy to watch.if starting this season in the same form, could pick up some nice prizes on the way to defending his crown. Only a 6yo and Champion Hurdlers come back year on, year in, so there must be more to come.

3.BIG ZEB(9yo)C.Murphy

Classy and finally put his jumping in place to land The Queen Mother last season. Winners of that race come back and run well again, so looks a good bet to go close again, reminds me of Moscow Flyer,who improved with age and can pick up some nice prizes on the way back to defending his title. Not sure there is much in the way of 2 mile chasers to trouble him and Big Zeb can clean up. Won nicely on return, from an unlucky Golden silver who could be a threat, but the defending champ can only improve from that run as well.

4.GREAT ENDEAVOUR(6yo)D.PIPE

Won the Byrne Plate at last season's Cheltenham Festival in a time that was a lot faster than the Jewson & Ryanair run over the same distance on the same day. Obviously this one had a lot less weight than the winners of those races but looks a seriously progressive young chaser. Was very game that day and I liked his attitude when challenged, sticking his neck out and charging up the Cheltenham hill. Has the bonus races of The Paddy Power (looks laid out for this prize) & possibly the Hennessy as early season targets. A must have, who can hopefully develop into a very smart horse.I fancy he is one who could become a Ryanair horse himself, another bonus race.

5.TIME FOR RUPERT(6yo)P.Webber.

Developed into a smart stayer over hurdles last season and was the only horse who came anywhere near Big Bucks in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham last season, was well clear of the third that day. Will go over fences this year and has the size and scope to take to the bigger obstacles. Has no problem with stamina and will be just the right age to develop into a RSA type.

Makes fencing debut today at Cheltenham, which hopefully will be very informative.

6.NACARAT(8yo)T.GEORGE

Ran an absolute cracker when landing this season's Charlie Hall on return to action. Looks a stronger horse and bearing in mind two of the bonus races are run at Kempton, a course this horse loves, he must be included. Ran a stormer in last season's King George trying to burn off the opposition after setting a relentless gallop in that contest. Also is a past winner of The Racing Post Chase, another bonus race, means he will probably be targeted at those races again. Sound jumper and if not committed too early can make them all go in this year's King George again. Can't help thinking the best is yet to come from this dashing grey, a la Monets Garden & Desert Orchid.

7.FORPADYDEPLASTERER(8yo)T.Cooper

Suffers seconditis but is far from ungenuine and ran a cracker to finish 2nd in this year's Queen Mother considering he had an interrupted preparation. This season could step up in trip and could finally land another big pot to add to his Arkle win in 2009. Could develop into a King George horse if he can prove his stamina but also has options at shorter, must have good ground.

Runs on Sunday at Cheltenham and hopefully can make a winning start.

8.BURTON PORT(6yo)N.Henderson

Did brilliantly over fences last season. Ran a stormer,staying on strongly to finish 2nd to Weapon's Amnesty in last season's RSA(long Run in 3rd) then came out and won at Aintree, to prove he is as tough as teak. Not overly big but is as game as they come, could ruffle a few of the big guns feathers this year. Hopefully he can be this years Alberta's Run and rack up some big points. Good chance in the Hennessy if he goes there as the galloping track and stiff test of stamina will suit this strong stayer.

9.JONCOL(7yo)P.Nolan

Skipped Cheltenham last year, but has the size and scope to develop into major player in the top staying chases this year. Looks to need cut & a trip and looks the most likely for the Irish Hennessy where he will probably get both of those. That is another bonus race and this one can rack up a fair few points this season. Might make up into an outside Gold Cup horse, but whichever way he goes is an exciting prospect. Wasn't impressive on seasonal debut, but 2m trip nowhere near enough of a stamina test so entitled to improve for that.

10.ZAYNAR(5yo)N.Henderson

Ran a cracker to finish 3rd in last season's Champion Hurdle behind stablemate Binocular. It must be noted that Henderson's Punjabi and Binocular finished 3rd in The Champion the year before they came back to win the big one itself.However this one looks more of a staying type and though he has to improve massively to beat Big Bucks in the 3mile events, he can rack up a fair few points on the way to a crack at The World Hurdle. Big Bucks will be on everyone's list and will be hard to beat, but not sure he will run much and may even go chasing if Paul Nicholls' stable stars do not fire. Can always sub-in Big Bucks in the transfer window. Ascot will suit Zaynar when he makes his return and I like this one a lot.

Well there you go, my ten to follow can hopefully pay their way and give me an interest all season, where like every year, all roads lead to Cheltenham.

Good Luck & Happy Punting

Yours

Randy.

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