Horse racing tips: Templegate’s big 11-2 Cheltenham NAP has a lethal turn of foot and plenty of staying power
TEMPLEGATE tackles an absolutely massive Saturday of racing confident of finding you a few winners.
It’s been a dramatic week of action off the track, with some top level owners announcing they were quitting with immediate effect and a BHA mix-up giving punters a headache.
But our man is back with some eyecatching picks for Trials Day – where he’s also gone through the Placepot with his selections.
Back any one of Templegate’s tips below at the best price simply by clicking their odds.
VICTTORINO (1.15 Cheltenham, nap)
He has done really well since joining Venetia Williams from France. He has won both his chase starts at Ascot where he showed a turn of pace and staying power to come right through the field to score last time. He saw out three miles strongly there so should get home at Cheltenham over this shorter trip. A 4lb rise in the weights is fair and he’ll be right there.
JOHNNYWHO (4.10 Cheltenham, nb)
He went close to landing the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury last time on just his second spin over hurdles. It took him a little while to get going before a strong finish up Newbury’s long straight. Ideally he’d like a bit further than this but the hill will help and a good run here can set up a tilt at the Albert Bartlett at the Festival for which he’s currently a 16-1 shot.
SIR GINO (12.05 Cheltenham, treble)
He can just edge out Burdett Road in what should be a thriller. He won a red-hot race in France on debut that has produced the likes of State Man and he looked a class act when winning his first start for Nicky Henderson at Kempton. He tanked along there and even a couple of jumping errors didn’t slow him down. Hendo is sure to have worked on that and he has an excellent record in this race.
Templegate’s verdicts
CHELTENHAM
12.05
SIR GINO can just edge out Burdett Road in what should be a thriller.
He won a red-hot race in France on debut that has produced the likes of State Man and he looked a class act when winning his first start for Nicky Henderson at Kempton.
He tanked along there and even a couple of jumping errors didn’t slow him down.
Hendo is sure to have worked on that and he has an excellent record in this race.
Burdett Road loved the mud when winning a Grade 2 in style here last time. He’s another who could brush up his jumping but his experience of the track will be a major asset.
This race will sort out the British pecking order for the Triumph Hurdle.
Milan Tino was no match for Burdett Road last time and could do with a much longer trip as he looks all about stamina.
Le Fauve wasn’t disgraced at Aintree last time but this is a hotter contest.
Excelero and Ellerton have a mountain to climb after fair efforts in minor races.
12.40
ES PERFECTO showed lots of promise when fourth at Kempton and he sneaks in here off a low weight.
Gavin Sheehan held Alan King’s chaser up for too long at that speed track and he couldn’t catch the leaders.
He was only four lengths down at the line after jumping well and this stiffer stamina test should bring improvement on just his third chase run.
Ginny’s Destiny beat the tip when they met in November and is the one to beat again despite shooting up the weights.
He was game when beating future winner Grey Dawning here last time and could take another step forward.
Blow Your Wad ran a nice rack when winning at Kempton and a 6lb rise in the weights looks fair.
He has good form on undulating tracks so should handle Cheltenham.
Theatre Man has done well on both runs at Newbury since going handicapping.
He was just collared near the line last time and his stamina will be an asset up the hill.
Unexpected Party was a solid fifth in the Paddy Power on his last handicap run and has each-way claims with the Skelton yard in good form.
1.15
VICTTORINO has done really well since joining Venetia Williams from France.
He has won both his chase starts at Ascot where he showed a turn of pace and staying power to come right through the field to score last time.
He saw out three miles strongly there so should get home at Cheltenham over this shorter trip.
A 4lb rise in the weights is fair and he’ll be right there.
Il Ridoto was beaten in a photo for the December Gold Cup last time and is a major contender despite a walk up the weights.
That means he’s 10lb higher than when winning this 12 months ago but he’ll be on the premises for Nicholls and Cobden.
The trainer stays stablemate Hitman will need this run after a break.
Excello didn’t have a lot to beat at Ascot latest but looks open to improvement on his third start for Nicky Henderson. He gets a weight allowance for being a five-year-old.
At bigger prices both Ga Law and Grandeur D’Ame are capable of figuring with the former a good fifth in the Ryanair Chase last season. A repeat of that would give him a chance.
1.50
STAY AWAY FAY is the rising star in a field where all of his rivals have some questions to answer.
He won the Albert Bartlett over hurdles here in March and has looked a natural in winning his two chase runs at Exeter and Sandown.
We know he stays and likes the track which is a plus. This is much his stiffest assignment yet but he looks capable of improvement.
Datsalrightgino ran a cracker to win the Coral Cup at Newbury latest when relishing the longer trip. He ran well here last season and has every chance.
Royale Pagaille is respected having been fifth and sixth in the past two Gold Cups.
Despite that, he’s never shown his tip-top form at Cheltenham with a slog around Haydock more his cup of tea. More rain would boost his chances.
The Real Whacker won the Brown Advisory at last year’s Festival but this slightly longer trip is far from ideal.
He was outclassed in the King George last time and may just get nabbed up the hill here.
Capodanno ran well in the Savills behind Galopin Des Champs last time and shouldn’t be the longest priced runner. He stays well and looks solid each-way.
Last year’s winner Ahoy Senor has been hammered on three of his past four runs which makes him risky.
2.25
JONBON is a cut above any other two-mile chaser in Britain and can land another Grade 1 success.
He didn’t have to break sweat when winning the Tingle Creek at Sandown last time and kicked off the season with a 10-length success in the Shloer around here.
Only superstar El Fabiolo beat him last season and he can tee up a crack at the Champion Chase by winning this.
Editeur Du Gite clocked a personal best when winning this race 12 months ago and scored for the first time since at Kempton’s Christmas meeting.
He should be clear best of the rest for Gary Moore.
The others have plenty to find but Fugitif loves it here and battled right to the line when winning the December Gold Cup.
He tanks along so dropping to two miles should be fine and he can win the battle for third.
Elixir De Nutz has done well this season but his jumping let him down when third at Kempton last time.
Nube Negra has always come up short at this highest level and was three lengths behind Editeur Du Gite at Kempton latest.
3.00
LOSSIEMOUTH has won first-time out in both her seasons so her 273-day absence won’t stop her class showing through.
She was brilliant last term, winning the Triumph Hurdle in style here before following up at Punchestown.
Willie Mullins will want her to peak in the Mares’ Hurdle at the Festival but she goes on any conditions and can warm up with a good win.
Love Envoi looks the main threat after her epic second to Honeysuckle in the Mares’ Hurdle last year.
She then flopped at Punchestown and was flat when second in the Fighting Fifth on comeback last month.
That was disappointing but she should be fitter for the run with more rain boosting her chances.
Rubaud saw his four-win run halted by no less than Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle.
He jumped well there and should be competitive against these mere mortals.
Guard Your Dreams won this in 2021 but has been off since losing to Epatante in the 2022 Aintree Hurdle. He’s entitled to need this.
First Street is a good handicapper but doesn’t look up to this standard.
3.35
DASHEL DRASHER was a brilliant second in the Stayers’ Hurdle the last time he ran at Cheltenham.
He has come back in rude health this season with a good win at Newbury before a good third in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.
He was behind Paisley Park there but one ahead of Champ and all three can have a say again.
Paisley is 12 now but has turned back the clock on his past two starts.
He was second to the tip at Newbury before pushing Crambo all the way in the Long Walk. He has won this race three times and is massively respected.
Champ was second in this 12 months ago before a good run in the Stayers’. He was doing his best work at the end of the Long Walk and should enjoy coming up the hill.
Noble Yeats is potential spanner in the works. There has been money for the Grand National winner who has had just one run over hurdles but it was a win back in 2021.
If he shows his chasing class back over the smaller obstacles he’ll be a force.
Botox Has is no mug but made a costly mistake when sixth in the Long Walk at Ascot.
Strong Leader hasn’t won for a while but the first-time cheekpieces may wake him up.
4.10
JOHNNYWHO went close to landing the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury last time on just his second spin over hurdles.
It took him a little while to get going before a strong finish up Newbury’s long straight.
Ideally he’d like a bit further than this but the hill will help and a good run here can set up a tilt at the Albert Bartlett at the Festival for which he’s currently a 16-1 shot.
Gidleigh Park caught the eye when hammering a field of novices to score at Newbury. He stayed well in the testing ground and looks ready for a tilt at this stronger company.
Antrim Coast comes over from Ireland for Gavin Cromwell after a solid second here last time.
He may not have got home there so this drop back to the trip of his Punchestown success could pay dividends.
Lucky Place has done well at novice level and improved in defeat at Taunton last time. This is tougher but there could be more to come.
Isaac Des Obeaux travelled well in landing back-to-back wins at Chepstow and has more to offer for Paul Nicholls upped in grade.
DONCASTER
2.05
GALA MARCEAU can lead home Ashroe Diamond in a one-two for Willie Mullins.
She was impressive when winning a Grade 1 contest in France last time and was a cracking second to another Closutton superstar Lossiemouth in the Triumph Hurdle on her sole run in the UK.
She has plenty of stamina and will enjoy any cut in the ground. She goes well fresh so her long break is no worry.
Ashroe Diamond was no match for Teahupoo in the Hatton’s Grace last time after ending last season with Grade 1 honours at Fairyhouse.
She tanks along so this drop in distance is no issue and she can go close.
Under Control was too bad to be true when tailed off at Newbury on comeback last month and has had a breathing op since.
She is better judged by her good handicap wins at Cheltenham and Sandown in April. A repeat of that form would see her in the picture.
Say Goodbye has been hit and miss and makes her debut for Nigel Twiston-Davies here after leaving Gordon Elliott. This looks a tall order but she’s best of the rest.
2.40
DESTROYTHEEVIDENCE went close in a Cheltenham Grade 2 last time despite rider David Bass having to get serious a long way from home.
He battled on strongly under that pressure and doesn’t have the hill to contend with here.
He enjoyed the flatter track when winning twice at Kempton and has more to offer.
Welcome To Cartries has had just two runs, both at Ascot, and was impressive when scoring by more than six lengths there last time.
He finished off strongly so should appreciate this hike in distance.
I love My Baie has been running well over shorter trips and had lots in the tank when winning at Ayr last month.
He could take another step forward for this stiffer test again.
Range battled through the mud to score at Chepstow last time and that staying power gives him a chance of running into the places.
Dripsey Moon wasn’t disgraced in this company at Limerick last time and is another with each-way prospects at a fair price.
Esprit Du Potier has been progressing nicely and was well backed when scoring at Ayr latest. There should be more to come and he’s another who could figure.
3.15
KANDOO KID could be the answer to this red-hot handicap.
He was impressive when winning over 2m4f at Newbury two runs ago before holding his own in an Ascot Grade 2 behind Djelo.
He drops in grade after that positive effort with this longer trip likely to be right up his street.
Forward Plan looks a major threat after scoring over course and distance last time.
A 4lb rise for that looks more than fair and trainer Anthony Honeyball continues in good form.
Two in the Hemmings green and yellow make appeal too. Famous Bridge has won two good contests at Haydock heading here and has plenty of staying power.
He’ll go close along with Richmond Lake who can bounce back from a modest effort at Cheltenham last time where the track didn’t seem to suit.
Surrey Quest followed a Huntingdon success with a battling victory at Newbury last time out.
He’s creeping up the weights now but stays strongly and has place prospects.
Mister Coffey continues to run well and was a decent second here last time.
Nicky Henderson reaches for the cheekpieces at last and they could help him finish off his race better.
Sweet Will is hit and miss but comes from a canny trainer in Emmet Mullins and he’s below his last winning mark.
Templegate’s tips plus Irish selections
Fairyhouse
1.05 Battle It Out (NAP)
1.40 Backintheroom
2.15 Jade De Grugy (nb)
2.50 Western Diego
3.25 Only A Dollar
3.58 Givehimthehonour
4.28 Machismo
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