Cheltenham tips: Templegate’s 9-2 NAP will romp home under Rachael Blackmore on St Patrick’s Day at the Festival

9 months ago 72

TEMPLEGATE takes on St Patrick’s Day at Cheltenham hoping to toast a few winners with a pint of the black stuff.

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ENVOI ALLEN (2.50 Cheltenham, nap)

He can defend his Ryanair crown. He was peaked for this race 12 months ago by Henry De Bromhead whose horses have been in fine fettle this week. He has won three times at the Festival and loves this trip. He was just collared over three miles at Down Royal when last seen in November and comes here nice and fresh.

THEATRE MAN (4.10 Cheltenham, nb)

He ran a cracker when second here last time, finishing strongly up the hill only for the line to come too soon behind the classy Ginny’s Destiny.

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He usually goes from the front as he did when winning on soft ground at Kempton on his last run before going handicapping so Harry Cobden taking over in the saddle is a major plus. He is only slowly going up the weights and looks capable of a lot better.

TEAHUPOO (3.30 Cheltenham treble)

He came off worst in a barging match in last season’s race that cost him. Gordon Elliott hasn’t run him since December and he’s unbeaten in five runs for the yard after a break. Should get his favoured soft ground and looks the one to beat.

Templegate’s race-by-race guide and Stayers’ Hurdle pinstickers

1.30

GREY DAWNING can just edge out Ginny’s Destiny in what should be a real cracker.

There is little between them with Ginny’s Destiny actually coming out on top when they met here in December.

But the Skelton runner made one bad error two out that put him on the back foot before he charged up the hill for a close second.

He has since landed a Wincanton Grade 2 by 14 lengths and soft is right up his street. There’s a lot more to come.

There’s a fag paper between them with Ginny’s Destiny winning well again here last time.

Facile Vega has a good Festival record and ran well in the Irish Arkle latest. This longer trip should bring improvement and he likes plenty of cut. He can make his presence felt.

Iroko won the Martin Pipe over hurdles here last year and made a good start when winning on chase debut at Warwick.

He cruised around there and could finish on the podium here.

Djelo finished strongly over 2m4f when second in a Sandown Grade 1 last time and should enjoy the hill. He’s the clear pick of the each-way prices for Venetia Wiiliams.

Zanahiyr enjoyed two miles last time but his jumping is likely to come under pressure here.

2.10

GAOTH CHUIL won the key qualifier for this race at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting in a good time.

She then went back and ran another belter at the Dublin Racing Festival when a close second in a big field.

She loves cut in the ground and has more to offer at this sort of trip for trainer Ted Walsh who knows how to get one ready for Cheltenham.

Cuthbert Dibble is improving with every run and had something left in the tank at the end of three miles at Haydock last time.

More rain would help as he loves it bottomless but can go well for the Twiston-Davies team.

Cleatus Poolaw qualified for this with a good second at Naas last time. That was his handicap debut and there should be a lot more to come.

Gabbys Cross went close at Punchestown on his last start and is fresh having not run since November. His best form would put him on the premises.

Alpesh Amin ploughed through the mud to score at Gowran last month and should relish this challenge. He’s up the weights but looks progressive.

The Nicky Henderson yard form has to be a worry but he has some nice chances in this with Chantry House who sneaked into this with a fourth at Huntingdon last time and has a touch of class.

Stablemates Hyland and Bold Endeavour aren’t out of this either if they can improve while Mill Green showed up well at Exeter last time and could nick a place.

At huge odds, Hector Javilex looked his old self when third at Musselburgh latest and is one to look for with a bookie playing extra places.

Icare Allen ran well at Aintree when last seen and has placed form in big fields.

Le Milos is now 4lb lower than his Coral Cup win over fences last year. He needed the run at Ascot and should be spot on for this.

2.50

I AM a huge fan of Banbridge but he was pulled out of his Festival race last year by trainer Joseph O’Brien because of soft ground and he wants it genuinely good.

It’s likely to be too tacky for him here should he even run. It would be better if he swerves this and gets ready for another win at Aintree next month.

That leaves the way open for ENVOI ALLEN to defend his Ryanair crown.

He was peaked for this race 12 months ago by Henry De Bromhead whose horses have been in fine fettle this week.

He has won three times at the Festival and loves this trip. He was just collared over three miles at Down Royal when last seen in November and comes here nice and fresh.

Capodanno came right back to his best when beating The Real Whacker here in January’s Cotswold Chase.

That was a smart performance and he jumped better than ever. He is a contender despite this shorter trip not being totally in his favour.

Stage Star won the Turners at last year’s Festival and came back with an excellent Paddy Power Gold Cup win.

He was too bad to be true when pulled up in another handicap here on New Year’s Day.

Paul Nicholls has not run him since and he’s capable of bouncing back. This is his ideal trip and some cut in the ground is ideal. He’s right in the mix.

Protektorat has been tried over different distances this season but he’s not dropped back this far since his novice days.

He likes to get out in front and may be better at lasting home over this less testing distance. He is in the each-way picture.

Conflated was third in the Gold Cup last year but has scored over this trip too. He’s made clumsy errors and unseated on his past two runs so has something to prove.

Fil Dor has shown some promise since chasing but this looks a tall order.

3.30 – STAYERS’ HURDLE PINS

TEA’s up in the Stayers’ Hurdle.

TEAHUPOO should have won this race 12 months ago and can brew up a win for Gordon Elliott.

I hate to crab a genuine legend but it wasn’t Davy Russell’s finest hour on him 12 months ago and Jack Kennedy has got it in the bag.

Here’s my guide to the big-race runners:

ASTERION FORLONGE 2

AST to go. Back to form behind Irish Point last time and stays but is error prone.

BUDDY ONE 1

ONE off. Good handicapper but has come up short on past two cracks at this level and is best left.

CHAMP 2

KO Champ. Fair fourth two years ago and not battered both runs this season. Place hope at best if turning back clock.

CRAMBO 4

BO for it. Improved to win Long Walk at Ascot ahead of Paisley Park and goes on any ground. Not many miles on the clock and comes here fresh. Won’t be far away.

DASHEL DRASHER 3

HAS Dash. As game as they come and just pipped 12 months ago. Good run here last time behind Noble Yeats and Paisley Park in Cleeve. Will give it all and could hit the frame again.

FLOORING PORTER 3

FLOORS it. Has won this twice and went for home too early when fourth last year. Fair form over fences since but better at this game. Each-way claims again with yard in form.

HOME BY THE LEE 3

HOME help. Would have been closer than fifth last year but for a late error. Below par this season but aimed at this and no forlorn hope.

JANIDIL 1

DULL Dil. Been chasing with modest results and tough race to go back over hurdles for first time since the 2020 Festival.

NOBLE YEATS 4

GREAT Yeats. Grand National winner in 2022 and fourth last year so won’t lack for stamina. Beat a few of these well in the Cleeve here last time and is still only nine. Handles any ground and has strong each-way claims.

PAISLEY PARK 3

PRIDE Park. Real warrior who won this in 2019 and was third in 2021 and 2022. Not won for over a year but just pipped in Long Walk and Cleeve so still in rude health. Another with a big each-way claim.

SIRE DE BERLAIS 3

YES Sire. Shock winner 12 months ago but ran crackers at Aintree and Punchestown to prove it wasn’t a fluke. Quiet spin around Navan to warm up for this and will give it another go. Should find a couple too good but is respected after last year.

SIR GERHARD 2

HARD to win. Classy over fences and hurdles and has won at the Festival before. Trip is an issue as his best form has come around 2m4f and didn’t stay in last year’s Brown Advisory. Likes it soft but likely to run out of petrol here.

TEAHUPOO 5

SWEET Tea. Came off worst in a barging match in last season’s race that cost him. Gordon Elliott hasn’t run him since December and he’s unbeaten in five runs for the yard after a break. Should get his favoured soft ground and looks the one to beat.

4.10

THEATRE MAN ran a cracker when second here last time, finishing strongly up the hill only for the line to come too soon behind the classy Ginny’s Destiny.

He usually goes from the front as he did when winning on soft ground at Kempton on his last run before going handicapping so Harry Cobden taking over in the saddle is a major plus.

He is only slowly going up the weights and looks capable of a lot better.

Crebilly fell on chase debut but has shaped better on his past two runs including when winning at Exeter. There’s talent there but this bigger field is a concern.

Similar comments apply to Arctic Bresil who has shown promise since going over fences and should improve for this step up in distance under Rachael Blackmore.

In Excelsis Deo would have won at Sandown last time but for unseating his rider at the final fence.

He has been placed around here twice since going chasing and has every chance of hitting the frame again for Harry Fry.

James De Berlais has been hitting the frame in hot handicaps in Ireland. He has plenty of weight but is a thorough stayer who can’t be written off.

Shakem Up’Arry was third in this last season from 4lb lower and ran his best race since them when winning here by seven lengths on New Year’s Day.

This is his best trip and he looks a real contender for Ben Pauling.

Saint Felicien has improved since going over fences and landed a deserved first win at Gowran last time.

He only had five rivals to beat but did it nicely and hasn’t been clobbered for this first handicap over fences. He is in with a place shout for the Elliott team.

4.50

BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD sets the clear standard after impressive wins at Down Royal and Navan.

She absolutely tanked along there and jumped well despite the testing ground.

Dropping back to this trip holds no fears and the Gordon Elliott team are adamant there’s miles more to come.

Dysart Enos would be a popular first Festival winner for Fergal O’Brien. She hasn’t won a Graded race yet which means she gets 5lb off her main rivals.

She looked well up to this standard when winning here in December and just cruised around Donny to maintain her unbeaten record last time. She has a big chance.

Jade De Grugy has won both starts in fine style since joining Willie Mullins from France.

She was very smooth when scoring at Fairyhouse last time and is anothe real contender. The others have a fair gap to bridge and need one of the others to blow up.

Golden Ace was a useful bumper performer and has done nothing wrong in two wins over timber at Taunton. This is much tougher but this Golden Horn mare has a bright future.

Birdie Or Bust landed a Listed prize at Thurles when last seen in December. She shapes as though this slightly longer trip will help and Henry De Bromhead will eke some improvement out of her.

5.30

WHEREITALLBEGAN couldn’t have been more impressive when winning by 16 lengths at Punchestown last month.

He loved stepping up to this sort of trip and the testing ground brought his stamina to the fire.

The handicapper has shunted him up 12lb but he has more to offer in marathons and can take another step forward for Gordon Elliott.

He has another solid chance with Cool Survivor who was fourth in a hot handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival.

He has to prove his stamina but will be a player if he stays.

Inothewayurthinkin brings Grade 1 placed form to the race and he wasn’t asked too many questions after being hampered at Leopardstown latest.

He’s been backed into a short price but has obvious claims for Gavin Cromwell who continues to send out plenty of winners.

Angels Dawn was the hero in this 12 months ago and could hit the frame again from an 11lb higher mark. She got back on track with a Gowran third last time out.

Rapper came back to his best with a close second at Ascot last month. He won a decent contest over course and distance last year from only 1lb lower so should be competitive.

Bowtogreatness was a solid fifth here in January before a close-up third at Kempton last month.

He just about gets this trip and has enough quality to figure.

Amirite started this season with a good fourth here and ran well again at Leopardstown at Christmas. He’s had a break since then and is another to consider.