Cheltenham tips: Templegate’s 6-1 NAP can get punters off to a flyer on day one of the Festival
TEMPLEGATE takes on a monster day of action at Cheltenham Festival confident of kicking off the biggest week all year in style.
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IL ETAIT TEMPS (2.10 Cheltenham, nap)
He can take a wide open Arkle. He ran a cracker when winning the Irish version of this race at Leopardstown last time. He built Found A Fifty in that race and kept pulling out more when needed. He was a good fourth in last year’s Supreme and has more to come over fences.
MYSTICAL POWER (1.30 Cheltenham, nb)
He is improving with every run and lots in hand winning a Punchestown Grade 2 last time. Trip suits and has much more to offer with soft ground no issue.
KILBEG KING (5.30 Cheltenham, treble)
He went close at Ascot last time behind Henry’s Friend. He was in front a yard past the line and the stiffer test of Cheltenham will be right up his street so he can turn that form around. He held his own in Grade 1 company when third in the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day. Despite his age, it’s early days for him over fences with just four runs under his belt and this longer trip can bring out more.
Templegate’s race-by-race guide to day one of Cheltenham
1.30
MYSTICAL POWER looks magic in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
He can edge out Willie Mullins stablemate Tullyhill, who comes here on the back of an impressive Listed win at Punchestown last month when handling soft well.
He has a huge engine but can make a mistake – and that could prove crucial in this ferocious two-mile test.
Nicky Henderson fans will be keeping a close eye on Jeriko Du Reponet to assess stable form while Firefox and Slade Steel have plenty of class.
Firefox is back over his best trip here after good Grade 1 effort at further. Has lots of class and can take a step up and undoubtedly has a big chance.
Henry de Bromhead’s Slade Steel put in a good run behind Ballyburn last time when jumping well.
He has come from the Gallagher on Wednesday because he wants to miss Ballyburn, likes it soft and is a strong stayer. There’s more to come and he is a major player here.
The others will have to up their games massively but Asian Master really catches the eye at a big price and he is more than capable of running into the places.
2.10
IL ETAIT TEMPS can take a wide open Arkle. He ran a cracker when winning the Irish version of this race at Leopardstown last time.
He built Found A Fifty in that race and kept pulling out more when needed. He was a good fourth in last year’s Supreme and has more to come over fences.
Hunters Yarn goes up in grade after a smooth victory at Fairyhouse in January.
He didn’t have to leave first gear and his jumping will improve for that experience.
Gaelic Warrior won a Grade 1 on chase debut at Limerick ahead of Il Etait Temps before unseating in a match with potential superstar Fact To File at Leopardstown.
He does jump out to the right but the first-time hood may help that today and he’s a player.
Found A Fifty has place claims despite his defeat by the tip last time. He is a Grade 1 winner who stays strongly and there should be plenty of pace to attack.
JPR One jumped nicely around Lingfield last time but will find this a lot tougher so needs to improve plenty.
Quilixios is no mug and jumped better when scoring at Naas. He’s won over hurdles at the Festival before and trainer De Bromhead peaks his horses at this meeting.
2.50
THE GOFFER was a fab fourth in a red-hot renewal of this race 12 months last season and is back from lower in the weights.
He was bang in contention until the final furlong and is a year stronger now.
This has been his target all campaign and the excellent Jack Kennedy can time his challenge to perfection.
Monbeg Genius was a place ahead of him 12 months ago and is a contender again. He was poor at Kelso last week but it’s early days and we know he handles the track.
Meetingofthewaters was hampered and unseated at the first last time on the back of an impressive handicap debut win at Leopardstown.
He’s 17lb higher than that but connections think he’ll be a Graded performer soon enough and this trip suits.
Chianti Classico was a good second at Kempton despite racing out wide after victories at Ascot and Chepstow.
This is his toughest test yet but he has plenty of stamina and could be a few pounds ahead of the handicapper.
Trainer Kim Bailey also runs Trelawne who is no forlorn hope with Harry Cobden on board.
He likes to be out in front and has the ideal jockey for that.
Stumptown was beaten a neck in the Kim Muir last season and was a convincing winner here last time out on New Year’s Day. This is hotter opposition but he has place claims.
3.30
THE bookies will be in a right State after the Champion Hurdle.
Hotpot STATE MAN is simply too strong and can start the ball rolling on millions of banker accas.
He was the only runner with a hope of giving Constitution Hill a scare and with the champ gone he’s impossible to oppose.
It’s a shame Irish Point isn’t running in the Stayers’ Hurdle but his class can take him into the frame.
Iberico Lord looked classy when winning here last time and has been supplemented and the soft ground is ideal.
Nicky Henderson stablemate Luccia gets a 7lb mares’ allowance that brings her into the place picture.
Don’t hit snooze on Not So Sleepy. He finished fifth in this race three times but managed to win the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle on comeback in December.
He’s best when fresh so trainer Hughie Morrison has done the right thing by giving him a break but, now aged 12, winning this is probably beyond him.
4.10
LOSSIEMOUTH is the banker of the entire meeting for many and she looked better than ever when winning the International here in January.
She cruised along that day before skipping up the hill without breaking sweat ahead of a useful rival in Love Envoi.
We saw her win the Triumph Hurdle at last year’s Festival and she should progress further.
The only slight concern is the trip as she hasn’t tackled this longer distance before and the ground will be fairly testing.
She should be able to hold a handy position without burning too much petrol and have enough to get home.
Marie’s Rock looks a decent each-way option having won this race in 2022.
There was no excuse for her blow-out last season but she ran well at Aintree after that and looked close to her best when winning at Doncaster last time. She can fill the forecast spot.
Echoes In Rain is no mug but found the Irish Champion a bit much latest.
She’s back against the lasses here and was a solid fourth in this race 12 months ago. A repeat of that looks on the cards.
Love Envoi pushed Honeysuckle all the way in this last year and it will be interesting to see how she gets on in the first-time cheekpieces.
She was a good second in this race last year so we know staying is not an issue.
Ashroe Diamond has yet to be beaten in a mares’ race including when taking a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse in April.
She was rusty on comeback before finding her true form at Doncaster last time.
She jumped well on Town Moor and the Mullins team have been making lots of positive noises.
Lantry Lady didn’t have to hit top gear when winning a Grade 3 at Gowran Park last month. She loved the mud there so rain would enhance her chances.
Telmesomethinggirl won Dawn Run three years ago and ran her best race for a while in a Naas Grade 3 latest. This is a lot tougher.
4.50
MILAN TINO has strong claims on this drop in class after his third behind Sir Gino in the Triumph Hurdle Trial here last time.
The handicapper has been fair with his mark of 126 and he has plenty of staying power.
He has yet to finish out of the frame in hot company and will appreciate this ground.
This is just his third run in the UK and there should be a lot more to come.
Paul Nicholls has a smart prospect in Liari who landed Listed honours at Aintree before scooting in at Musselburgh last time.
The handicapper could have been kinder but there’s a lot more to come from this Cracksman gelding.
Lark In The Mornin has been popular with punters after a good big-field third at Punchestown in January. He would have won but for clattering the final flight.
Trainer Joseph O’Brien has won this race before and there should be more to come on this handicap debut.
Eagle Fang was a big improver when scoring at Naas last month when tanking along. That speed will be an asset here and he’s another who can improve.
Batman Girac didn’t get the run of the race when a solid fourth in a Leopardstown Grade 2 last time. T
hat was just the second run for current connections from this French import and he’ll build on it.
He’s high in the weights but has place claims. Latin Verse cruised home by 19 lengths at Ludlow and deserves a crack at this stronger level.
He’s up 10lb but it would be no surprise to see him hit the frame.
Ndaawi did well on the Flat and trotted across the line for an easy victory at Naas last time.
The handicapper was watching and he’ll need to improve to have an impact from this mark.
Miss Manzor went from the front when scoring at Fairyhouse last time out.
It’s still early days with her for Willie Mullins and she shapes like a strong stayer. She is one of many with an each-way shout.
5.30
KILBEG KING can upset the Irish battalion for Anthony Honeyball and rider Will Biddick.
The duo were an agonising second in this race in 2008 the last time they teamed up and have a strong chance on this nine-year-old who went close at Ascot last time behind Henry’s Friend.
He was in front a yard past the line and the stiffer test of Cheltenham will be right up his street so he can turn that form around.
He held his own in Grade 1 company when third in the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Despite his age, it’s early days for him over fences with just four runs under his belt and this longer trip can bring out more.
Derek O’Connor has won this race twice from 17 attempts and has every chance with Corbetts Cross.
He was more brought down than falling at Fairyhouse last time.
He was going like the winner in that minor contest after finishing second in a Leopardstown Grade 1 at Christmas.
He is not the easiest horse to ride as he showed when crashing into the rails in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle last season. He does have plenty of talent.
Embassy Gardens is an excellent jumper who has sauntered home in his two chases so far.
He was particularly impressive when taking a Naas Grade 3 by 10 lengths latest and there’s more to come.
The first-time hood is interesting as he’s not shown any negative signs.
Salvador Ziggy has a high-class amateur in Rob James on board and has been laid out for this.
He was second in the Pertemps Final over hurdles at last year’s Festival and was a cracking second in the Kerry National before tackling the American Grand National which is over hurdles and too short a trip. He has place claims.
Templegate’s tips
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