IT'S that time of year again, when the National Hunt brigade finally takes over the centre of the stage from the flat performers.

Ryedale is so strongly represented right across the board that pinpointing a wide-ranging select squad leaves the selector somewhat spoilt for choice.

Here's hoping, however, that these Ten To Follow - from ten different yards - justify their inclusion and make a profit for supporters between now and next spring.

ALTAPETER (Peter Beaumont)

Two wins over hurdles last season underlined the potential of Altapeter and could also be considered something of a bonus, given that this gelding is surely a chaser in the making.

Peter Beaumont, who excels with this type of horse, was well pleased with Altapeter's recent comeback outing in a handicap hurdle at Sedgefield. That said, it was disappointing to see him pulled up on his debut over fences at Market Rasen earlier this week, but it is surely much too early yet to write him off.

Beaumont now has the option of continuing down the chasing road, or switching Altapeter back to hurdles. He looks a fair prospect.

BARTON (Tim Easterby)

Hardly an original choice, but a difficult one to get away from, especially given the fact that he promises to be one of the stars of the season.

Having reached the top of the tree over hurdles, gaining nine wins from 12 starts, Barton has the potential to scale similar lofty heights in his new role as a steeplechaser. Although defeated at odds-on on his debut over fences at Wetherby over an inadequate distance, Barton made no mistake at Newcastle next time when, stepped up to two-and-a-half miles, he jumped like a stag and galloped home, with ears pricked, 20 lengths clear of his rivals.

A trip back at Newcastle on Saturday may be the next target for Barton, who has all the credentials required to reach Gold Cup standard in time.

BESIEGED (Richard Fahey)

Pretty much a 'dark horse', Besieged has run only once so far, in a bumper at Ayr a couple of weeks ago, when he shaped with unmistakable promise to finish fifth to the highly-rated Byron Lamb. The fact that there were several lumpy bets wagered on him that day suggests he did not run without confidence in his ability. As it turned out, according to Richard Fahey, he displayed typical symptoms of first-time 'stagefright', by running a little too freely in the early stages and, consequently, he failed to get home as well as the principals.

Further experience should improve Besieged and, with a hurdling campaign planned, he should not be long in winning.

B THE ONE (John Quinn)

John Quinn did our Ten To Follow on the Flat proud this year by producing Smart Predator to win four races and the Settrington trainer can be relied upon to do another good job with B The One. The gelding has already scored this season, at Haydock, where he produced a slick display of jumping to gain a comfortable success. Two miles on left-handed tracks is what B The One wants and he looks sure to pay his way in handicap company.

DIBEA TIMES (Malcolm Jefferson)

The recent tragic loss of Dato Star left a void to be filled at Malcolm Jefferson's Newstead stables. If there is one horse in residence capable of doing just that, it is surely Dibea Times, who created such a big impression last season.

The French recruit won three of his four starts in Britain last term and received a glowing testimony from Jefferson as being a horse with a bright future.

The Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday , a race Dato Star largely called his own in recent years, is likely to be the launching pad for Dibea Times to see whether he is up to Champion Hurdle standard. If not, the option is there to send him chasing instead. Whichever route is adopted, this talented gelding should enjoy a profitable campaign.

DIX BAY (Mick Easterby)

Winner of a bumper at Market Rasen last autumn and a novice hurdle at Wetherby in January, Dix Bay is poised to fare even better this time around. The Teenoso gelding made his comeback at Wetherby recently and ran a cracking race to finish a close-up second to Reggie Buck over two miles.

Mick Easterby, who has brought Dix Bay along steadily, feels the six-year-old will stay up to three miles. There should be no lack of suitable opportunities for him in handicap hurdles and it will be a surprise if he is not placed to advantage.

DONNYBROOK (Bob Woodhouse)

Having drawn a blank last season and having failed to cover himself in any glory in two outings so far this term, Donnybrook may be a surprising selection in this list.

But there is little doubt that he is a horse of significant ability and if Bob Woodhouse can get him back to anything like his best, he is now so well handicapped after his long losing run that he cannot fail to win.

Effective at up to two-and-a-half miles, Donnybrook may not be a horse to follow for the faint-hearted, but those who do choose to stick with him for a while longer may well be handsomely rewarded.

LATALOMNE (Brian Ellison)

Four wins from four starts over fences is the unblemished record of Latalomne, who is held in the highest regard by Brian Ellison, who has big plans for the gelding in the weeks and months ahead.

The legions who were impressed by the gelding's recent runaway victory at Cheltenham included the handicapper. Consequently, life is going to become much tougher for this former flat racer from now on. That said, he is a very talented horse, who could well cope with whatever challenges he faces.

The Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March is the ultimate target this season for Latalomne, but there should be some exciting - and hopefully rewarding - days in the meantime as he bids to extend his unbeaten sequence.

NOBLE PASAO (Andy Turnell)

A winner over hurdles last season, Noble Pasao looks nailed-on to add to his tally this winter. He has already turned in two solid efforts, finishing second to the in-form and well-handicapped Petuntse at Wetherby, and a close-up third to Kattegat at Leicester.

Although no star, Noble Pasao should find his niche in two-mile handicap hurdles and, clearly in good heart at present, should not be long in winning.

THE FEAR OF GOD (Jimmy FitzGerald)

Considering he is part-owned by Richard Burridge, and carries the colours once associated with the mighty Desert Orchid, The Fear Of God has a hard act to follow. The early signs, however, are promising and although a miracle might be required to see him following in Dessie's hoofprints, he has already proved he has ability.

A creditable fourth on his debut in a bumper at Market Rasen in March, The Fear Of God occupied the same position in a similar race at Cheltenham a month ago, staying on well in the closing stages after a dawdling gallop developed into a sprint finish. In Jimmy FitzGerald, he has a trainer capable of plotting a successful route for him and it will be a surprise if The Fear Of God, likely to switch to hurdles in the near future, cannot impress his name on rivals this season.

Tom O'Ryan is a staff writer with the Racing Post.

Updated: 12:17 Thursday, November 29, 2001