Expect Energumene to come back strongly - Justin O'Hanlon with his Tote Ten to Follow

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Despite missing out on Cheltenham last season, if Constitution Hill returns at a level close to his best, there would not appear to be a horse who can challenge him. He will probably have only three runs, but if arriving at Cheltenham in form and with the stable not going through a similar March slump to last season, he is very much the one to beat.

Once again, last season's Champion Hurdle winner State Man is the most likely to take advantage should a mishap occur to Constitution Hill, and he could well mop up the Irish Grade 1s again. How Willie Mullins campaigns Lossiemouth may have some effect on that, but it would take a lot to relegate State Man in the pecking order.

Fastorslow might be becoming a bogey horse for him, but one thing for certain is that Galopin Des Champs will be cherry ripe for the Irish Gold Cup in February and for the Gold Cup itself in March, and it will likely take something special for to prevent him completing the Gold Cup hat-trick. Of the home brigade, Grey Dawning has huge potential to eventually become that challenger after his stellar novice campaign last season.

If all goes well, Hewick could be a big earner this season and his cracking effort in the Champion Chase at Down Royal points to this being a big season. He could indeed be a viable proposition for a Gold Cup-Grand National double in the spring.

The two-mile-chase division was interesting last year, particularly in how the anticipated coronation of El Fabiolo fell flat at Chetenham and at Sandown when his jumping frailties were thoroughly exposed. In that context, Mullins will be very glad to welcome dual Champion Chase winner Energumene back into the fold, with a return to action in December on the cards. If he can pick up where he left off in the spring of 2023, he is the best two-miler out there.

Where Mullins will campaign the enigmatic but truly brilliant Gaelic Warrior will be interesting to see. Chances are that the Ryanair Chase will be his target in March, but don't count anything out. Anywhere from two miles to three miles is possible.

The most exciting recruit to the novice chase ranks is undoubtedly last season's top novice hurdler Ballyburn, and it is quite feasible that he will be trained as an Arkle horse with the option to go up in trip. In the novice hurdle division, the sky could be the limit for Romeo Coolio. Runner-up in last season's Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, this imposing gelding could not have impressed much more in his jumping when running away with an admittedly weak maiden hurdle at Down Royal on his return. We won't have to wait long to see how he shapes up in better company.

The staying hurdle division looks to be at the mercy of the Gordon Elliott-trained Teahupoo after he fully emerged last season. A similar programme this year of the Hatton's Grace Hurdle followed by the Stayers' Hurdle is likely to be the plan again, and worries about better ground at Cheltenham were mostly put to rest by his victory at Punchestown in April.

JUSTIN O'HANLON'S TEN TO FOLLOW

Ballyburn
Constitution Hill
Energumene
Gaelic Warrior
Galopin Des Champs
Grey Dawning
Hewick
Romeo Coolio
State Man
Teahupoo

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