Royale back-up helps new name to the top of Tote Ten to Follow leaderboard

Week two of the Tote Ten to Follow jumps competition and the leaderboard has a completely different look with none of the teams that set the early pace still among the top group.

It might have been all so different if some of the most popular horses in the competition had fulfilled expectations but State Man – who figures in 64.1% of teams as the third most picked horse after the Nicky Henderson-trained pair Jonbon and Constitution Hill – Galopin Des Champs, who is the fifth most picked with 61.3%, Grey Dawning 31.6% and Fastorslow 25.9%, all failed to deliver the expected victories and points.

The tactic of doubling up in the major contests has certainly paid off for the Gary EadyRacing team that now tops the table thanks to Royale Pagaille mopping up 55.95 points with a gutsy display in the Betfair Chase to fend off Grey Dawning, while Brighterdaysahead added 29.35 points with her victory over State Man in the Morgiana Hurdle.

As well as having in his team the first two in both those races – including being one of only 2.2% to row in with Royale Pagaille – Gary EadyRacing also had the first and third in the John Durkan Chase, Fact To File who earns 30.80 points for his success, and dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs, who finished third.

With Champion Hurdle favourite Lossiemouth absent from the Morgiana because of a bruised foot, Fact To File was the second most picked winner of the weekend, with 49.4% of teams cheering home the new Gold Cup favourite.

However, although Ballyburn may have earned only 12.21 points for his effortless beginners' chase success at Punchestown on Saturday, the significance of his smooth transition to fencing will not have been lost on the 63.6% of teams who cheered him home and will now be expecting plenty more across the winter.

Watch out too for the Rio teams which sit together in joint-fifth place on the leaderboard as they contain Sir Gino, favourite for Saturday’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle in the absence of stablemate Constitution Hill.

Latest standings

LEADING HORSES
1 Royale Pagaille 2.2% of teams 55.95 points
2 Home By The Lee 0.2% 32.70
3 Fact To File 49.4% 30.80
4 Brighterdaysahead 16.8% 29.35
5 Il Ridoto 0.3% 29.00
6 Lucky Place 0.1% 27.10
7 Potters Charm 0.5% 24.05
8 Found A Fifty 5.7% 23.58
9 L'Eau Du Sud 2.1% 23.01
10 Stellar Story 1.3% 21.54

LEADING TEAMS
1 Gary EadyRacing 14 153.44 points
2 Famous Five 5 151.95
2 Famous Five 4 151.95
2 Robert Winchcole>11 1 151.95
5 Rio 12 146.28
5 Rio 3 146.28
7 H1 146.23
8 Phil's team 12 146.18
8 Robert Winchcole+11 3 146.18
10 Cock and Bull 37 144.98
10 AW13 144.98
10 Pingponger 40 144.98

LEADER'S STABLE - Gary EadyRacing 14 153.44 points
Royale Pagaille 55.95
Fact To File 30.80
Brighterdaysahead 29.35
Jonbon 21.34
Grey Dawning 13.70
Galopin Des Champs 1.20
State Man 1.10
Constitution Hill 0.00
Energumene 0.00

Read these next

‘It’s going to be a hell of a season’ - Willie Mullins thrilled as Fact To File assumes Gold Cup favouritism after John Durkan cracker 

Christmas Hurdle looks 'realistic' for Constitution Hill after minor setback says Nicky Henderson  

What's on this week: huge jumps cards keep coming with Coral Gold Cup day at Newbury and Mystical Power and Sir Gino clashing at Newcastle 

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