Protektorat's versatility looks prize asset - James Hill's Ten to Follow

In what is an extraordinary era of dominance, it is difficult to look beyond one stable when selecting the horses you think will bag the big prizes. The strength in depth at Willie Mullins’ yard is incomparable to anything we’ve seen and perhaps I’ve done well to keep the number of horses from Closutton down to five.

It’s going to be another difficult season for British trainers, but 18 of the 21 bonus races are taking place in Britain so there are still likely to be big points scorers from the yards of Dan Skelton, Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls too. Jonbon won two of the bonus races last term despite missing the Champion Chase, and he’s my pick among the two-milers, especially as he has the ability to go up in trip, a comment that also applies to Protektorat, who was narrowly denied by Jonbon in the Melling Chase at Aintree having previously won the Ryanair.

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We also know he gets three miles and he holds entries in the Betfair Chase and King George, while I’ve always thought he’d be a very interesting runner in the Grand National.

Another Skelton-trained chaser who has to go in is Grey Dawning. He was brilliant when winning the now defunct Turners at the festival and proved at Warwick the time before that he gets three miles. He’s always looked a stayer and is surely Britain’s best hope of winning the Gold Cup this term. He’s also favourite for the Betfair Chase.

With Fastorslow not taking up an entry in the King George, I’m now very much in the Il Est Francais camp. He was brilliant at Kempton last season, his jumping an absolute joy to watch, and he clearly stays well. The race is very much his target.

Fastorslow is my only Irish selection who is not with Team Mullins. He had another terrific campaign last term and has now beaten Galopin Des Champs three times. He’s a better jumper than the dual Gold Cup winner and I think this dry autumn swings the pendulum in his favour.

I think you also have to add Fact To File to your list. He’s very exciting, has obvious claims for a Gold Cup, while he also has the option of dropping back in trip given he’s clearly got plenty of pace.

Ballyburn is another must horse. I would think he’ll almost certainly go chasing and would imagine he will go the Arkle route. He’s so versatile and has all the options available. 

Similar comments apply to Lossiemouth. There will be loads of winnable races for her as she is a mare and I’d be surprised come March if we don't see her in the Champion Hurdle in which she would surely have a major shout.

Two other Mullins horses who I’m keen to keep on side are Impaire Et Passe and Il Etait Temps. Impaire Et Passe is likely to go over fences, but I could also see him doing well were he to remain over hurdles. I think his camp have now worked out that he needs further than two miles and I’m excited to see what he can do over three.

Il Etait Temps had a tremendous finish to last season, winning at Aintree and Punchestown, so it is surprising so few pundits are mentioning him. This little grey is a seriously strong stayer and, once he consents to settle, I’d be keen to see what he could do over any trip. He’s another who could return to hurdles one day.

James Hill's Ten to Follow

Ballyburn
Fact To File
Fastorslow
Grey Dawning
Il Est Francais
Il Etait Temps
Impaire Et Passe
Jonbon
Lossiemouth
Protektorat

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