Mark Statton, three-time winner of the Flat Ten to Follow, shares his strategy for the jumps competition

Mark Statton, a 62-year-old electronics and software test development engineer from Cardiff, was landing the Ten to Follow Flat competition for the third time in four years when Charyn's final-day victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Calandagan's defeat in the Champion Stakes secured the prize for his MyCatMeatball team. Here he shares his tactics for the competition he describes as "the best value in horseracing" and picks his ten for the jumps competition.

I subscribe to Racing Post’s online Ultimate Package and as preparation for the competition I watch a lot of the replay videos available of all British and Irish races. I also read the digital newspaper every day and the articles really help to pinpoint where horses are scheduled to run later in the season. I have been saved a few times by finding out which horses have had a setback or the like and the Racing Post Tracker is a must.

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My main philosophy is don’t overthink it. The Grade 1 bonus races yield most points so these are the races you should target. Yes, everyone loves getting a 33-1 handicap winner but how often does that happen? It’s fine to throw in one or two of these 'sleeper' horses but they should be complemented by a strong core of top horses for the bonus races.

For example, over the last two seasons, if you didn’t have consistent Grade 1 winners State Man and Galopin Des Champs who run in the same Grade 1 races every season you are unlikely to have a competitive stable. Their routes to Cheltenham are clear from the start of the season so you should stick with them. 

I think people often overlook the quite substantial monthly cash prizes. If you are not doing well with your stables don’t give up. The substitute window opens just before Cheltenham and you can refresh your team and take a shot at winning the March monthly prize.

If Constitution Hill is back to anything like his former self it would be a massive mistake to leave him off your list. If all goes to plan he will likely pick up more than 50 points from two long-odds-on victories before he tries to regain the Champion Hurdle. Don’t risk it. 

Top class novice hurdler Slade Steel is set to take on fences and could be even better. The way he battled back to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle was so impressive and the sky’s the limit over fences

I’m not sure where Gaelic Warrior will end up this season but I’m sure wherever it is he will rack up plenty of Grade 1 points. His versatility to win top-class races at two miles all the way up to three miles makes him a must for your list.

Fact To File could be the next great staying chaser and it wouldn’t surprise me if he reaches the very top in his first season in open company. But to be the best you have to beat the best and I’m sure Galopin Des Champs will have something to say about that! Can he be the first three-time Gold Cup winner since Best Mate in 2004? I’m not sure but he’s likely to pick up plenty of points before he arrives at Cheltenham 

Grand National winner I Am Maximus looks to be heading back to Aintree. I have a feeling there is more to come from him and I think he is a bona fide Grade 1 chaser. With JP McManus flush with staying chasers it’s tough to figure out where he will show up but I think last season's bounty of points was no fluke.

Many of my picks this season do not have clearly defined paths and that’s the case with the potential superstar Ballyburn. Rest assured that if he goes down the Champion Hurdle route or turns to novice chasing the points will follow. Just add him to your list and forget about it.

State Man may find it difficult to hold on to the Champion Hurdle but he is a Grade 1-winning machine in Ireland. The competition he’s likely to face this season does appear tougher but I’m not going to desert this hugely consistent performer.

Jonbon has unfinished business with the Champion Chase and I'm hoping this season he will gain a well-deserved victory. The likely route of one Grade 2 and two Grade 1s along the way will be the gravy.

My final pick is a novice chaser from the Dan Skelton yard L’eau Du Sud. The likeable grey might have won last season's County Hurdle if not making a meal of the final flight. The way he pushed aside more experienced chasers at Stratford recently makes me think he could put together a sequence of wins.

Mark Statton's Ten to Follow

Ballyburn
Constitution Hill
Fact To File
Gaelic Warrior
Galopin Des Champs
I Am Maximus
Jonbon 
L’eau Du Sud
Slade Steel 
State Man

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