Envoi Allen proves a crowd-pleaser but Cloth Cap success not one for the masses

The Ten To Follow hopes of a sizable chunk of players took off last week with victories for the four most popular selections in the competition: Envoi Allen, Epatante, Shishkin and Honeysuckle. However, it was Cloth Cap who was the big scorer.

He left just 230 stables smiling when landing the bonus points in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase. The 52.70 points collected there make him the second-highest scorer in the competition and, as with top scorer Bristol De Mai, he has the Grand National as a likely long-term target.

Envoi Allen, showed why he was the pick of 28,186 stables in securing 26.10 points in the Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse, where Honeysuckle continued her unbeaten run in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle for 27.42 points.

Epatante and Aidan Coleman record a smooth success in the Fighting Fifth HurdleCredit: John Grossick

At Newcastle, Epatante issued a reminder of the standard required to dislodge her Champion Hurdle crown with a flawless victory in the Fighting Fifth. She was the second most popular pick in the competition, being chosen 26,961 times, and collected 27.40 points here to get her season going.

At the start of the week Shishkin got his chasing career off to a flying start with a faultless win at Kempton but for just 11.10 points. Bigger hauls are sure to come, as they will for Royal Bond winner Ballyadam (27.42 points) and Monkfish, who made a winning debut over fences at Fairyhouse for 12.22 points.

Another notable scorer who promises to play a major part in the season’s big prizes was Thyme Hill, who got the better of Paisley Park in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, gaining 25.80 points for 5,172 stables.

Robert Winchcole has moved to the top of the leaderboard with 231.34 points but is being chased by a posse of pursuers for the Majestical Motion team who occupy six of the next nine places.

LEADING HORSES
1 Bristol De Mai 54.20pts
2 Cloth Cap 52.70
3 Eldorado Allen 29.90
4 Abacadabras 28.42
=5 Ballyadam 27.42
=5 Honeysuckle 27.42
7 Epatante27.40
8 Main Fact26.40
9 Floressa 26.20
10 Envoi Allen 26.10

LEADING TEAMS
1 Robert Winchcole001 231.34
=2 Majestical Motion20 230.76
=2 Majestical Motion24 230.76
=4 Majestical Motion52 219.64
=4 Majestical Motion56 219.64
6 Colin Pereira42217.94
=7 Majestical Motion19 217.36
=7 Majestical Motion23 217.36
9 Gary Eady Racing23 212.94
10 Kelly’s Heroes23 212.32

LEADING STABLE
Bristol De Mai 54.20 points
Abacadabras 28.42
Honeysuckle 27.42
Epatante 27.40
Envoi Allen 26.10
Put The Kettle On 22.20
Minella Indo 21.10
Clan Des Obeaux 13.40
Shishkin 11.10
Champ 0.00

More to read:

Bristol De Mai's brilliance jolts the hopes of expectant Ten To Follow teams

Abacadabras followers off to a flying start in pursuit of £190,000 Tote pot

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