Horse racing tips: ‘He glides over hurdles and won’t be caught’ – Templegate’s 2-1 Cheltenham NAP

TEMPLEGATE tackles a monster Saturday of racing confident of filling the coffers ahead of Christmas.

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SKYJACK HIJACK (3.00 Cheltenham, nap)

He is an owner’s dream as he made it a brilliant six wins on the spin at Newcastle last time. He glides over his hurdles and takes a lot of pegging back from the front. This is much his toughest assignment so far but he has been clocked some excellent times and looks well up to this standard. He goes on any ground and has no stamina worries.

MADARA (1.50 Cheltenham, nb)

He was a massive eyecatcher on debut for the Skeltons in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month. He was a mile back jumping three out before picking up strongly to power up the hill into an ever-closing fourth. Harry Skelton takes over from his less experienced rider today and now connections know he stays, he will hopefully be ridden closer to the pace.

AMBIENTE AMIGO (12.10 Cheltenham, treble)

She pulled away her chances when third at Newbury last time but Harry Cobden takes over today and she will hopefully settle better on this third run over timber. She was useful on the Flat and had plenty in hand when scoring on her hurdles debut at Newcastle. There’s more to come from James Owen’s filly who gets valuable weight from the boys.

Templegate’s TV verdicts

CHELTENHAM SAT

12.10

AMBIENTE AMIGO pulled away her chances when third at Newbury last time but Harry Cobden takes over today and she will hopefully settle better on this third run over timber.

She was useful on the Flat and had plenty in hand when scoring on her hurdles debut at Newcastle.

There’s more to come from James Owen’s filly who gets valuable weight from the boys.

The yard also run Lavender Hill Mob who was beaten at 2-7 on debut at Newcastle. He is certain to improve on that.

Total Look is a threat after his debut success at Navan last month. Trainer Gavin Cromwell has a cracking record at Cheltenham and his hope comes from a useful hurdling family.

Quantock Hills was a winner in France and has done well since joining Warren Greatrex.

He had seven lengths in hand when winning at Fontwell last time and deserves this crack at a much higher level.

Teriferma has left Joseph O’Brien with two hurdles wins on his CV. He has shown his best over this trip but faces stiffer opposition here.

Moutarde enjoyed a drop in class when winning easily at Kempton last time but this is tougher.

12.40

TRANSMISSION was impressive when scoring over course and distance last time out.

That was just his second run over fences in the UK and the handicapper has been more than fair with a 3lb rise. There’s more to come.

Peaky Boy won on his chasing debut here over 2m4f but stormed up the hill so this longer trip should be ideal.

Nicky Henderson’s hopeful jumped well and looks capable of improving past a 7lb rise in the weights.

Haiti Couleurs had 15 lengths in hand when winning at Aintree last time.

He wasn’t stopping at the end of an extended three miles and handled Chepstow well on debut so this track should be fine. He has solid place claims at least.

Destroytheevidence got the better of Haiti Couleurs when they met in Wales and ran another decent race when second at Newbury latest.

Trainer Kim Bailey is going well and he’s another in with a shout in this tricky contest.

Isaac Des Obeaux was placed in Graded company over hurdles and looked in need of the run at Chepstow on return. He should do better but has a bit to find.

1.13

COCO MADEMOISELLE won a couple of times over hurdles but has always looked like a chaser and she went close on her fencing debut at Worcester.

She was just pipped after the last over the 2m7f trip so this slight drop in distance should help. You would expect plenty of improvement and he is well handicapped on his hurdles form.

Malaita was a winner on her last visit to Cheltenham and wasn’t beaten far at Carlisle last time. She likes this trip and looks a big price to make the frame.

Theonewedreamof was last seen running on the Flat but his latest chase run was a winner at Tipperary in July. He looks potentially well handicapped for the canny Gavin Cromwell.

Realisation would have won at Lingfield last time but for a mistake at the final fence. She stays well enough and has an each-way shout.

Harry Cobden rides Game On For Glory and she finished last season with a fair second around here. She needed her comeback at Market Rasen and is another with place claims.

1.50

MADARA was a massive eyecatcher on debut for the Skeltons in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month.

He was a mile back jumping three out before picking up strongly to power up the hill into an ever-closing fourth.

Harry Skelton takes over from his less experienced rider today and now connections know he stays, he will hopefully be ridden closer to the pace.

He’s better off at the weights with winner Il Ridoto and can turn the form around with the Nicholls runner now on a career-high mark.

Grandeur D’Ame was right back to his best when scoring at Chepstow on comeback in October. He was a good fourth in this race 12 months ago and can at least match that effort.

Ga Law was a game second in the Paddy Power and can give another good account for in-form trainer Jamie Snowden. This New Course suits him well.

With Venetia Williams in such great form, her Gemirande needs a second look. He scooted in at Ascot last time and was a solid fifth in the Grand Annual at the Festival. He’s gone up 8lb but should be competitive.

Stage Star goes well around here and needed his comeback run at Aintree. He has plenty of weight but won’t be far away.

2.25

MASTER CHEWY has his sights lowered here after taking a tumble in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek at Sandown last weekend.

He warmed up for that with an excellent fourth in a hot handicap at Ascot and has enough quality to defy top weight over his favourite trip.

Libberty Hunter looks a threat even returning from eight months off. He ended last season with a cracking third in an Aintree Grade 1 after finishing second in the Grand Annual.

Ideally the ground could be a bit softer but he should run well under Harry Cobden.

Issar D’Airy has cheekpieces on for the first time after finishing fourth at Newbury last time where he was hampered.

He kicked off the season with a good effort at Newbury and has plenty of pace for this trip. He won’t be far away if taking to the headgear.

Triple Trade has looked rusty on both outings this season but has dropped to 5lb below his last winning handicap mark. He’s run well here before but needs to find his best.

Etalon has been well beaten on his last two and is best watched for now, while Third Time Lucky didn’t show a lot on comeback here last month.

He’d been off 18 months so may fare better with that under his belt.

3.00

SKYJACK HIJACK is an owner’s dream as he made it a brilliant six wins on the spin at Newcastle last time.

He glides over his hurdles and takes a lot of pegging back from the front.

This is much his toughest assignment so far but he has been clocked some excellent times and looks well up to this standard. He goes on any ground and has no stamina worries.

French challenger Jet Blue is interesting after a couple of good runs at Auteuil. He was Grade 1 level in bumpers and his trainer has enjoyed Cheltenham success before.

Clondaw General cost £150,000 and made a winning start over hurdles at Worcester in October. He’ll build on that if handling this better ground.

Western Knight overcame inexperience to land a gutsy win at Ascot three Saturdays ago. He shapes as though this move up in distance will help and doesn’t have to improve much to figure.

Aboutdamntime jumped like a natural when winning on debut at Carlisle last time. He needed every yard of the uphill finish there so should relish Cheltenham.

3.35

TAKE NO CHANCES was far from disgraced in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle a fortnight ago and will be happier back at handicap level.

She went to Gosforth Park on the back of a 10-length Listed victory at Wetherby and has winning form over to three miles so has no stamina issues.

She went close at Chepstow from 1lb lower in October and has more to come.

Joyeuse came back from almost a year off with a solid third at Ascot 22 days ago. She shapes as though the step up from two miles will suit and will be fitter for that effort.

Wodhooh could be overpriced given she has won Listed hurdles easily on her past two visits to England.

She jumped particularly well when scoring at Donny in January and Gordon Elliott should have her fit enough to perform.

Pretending led for a long way at Wincanton last time before just fading late on. She has won around here before and could hold on for a place.

Georgi Girl was a good winner at Warwick on comeback last month. She has plenty of staying power and a 5lb rise gives her a chance of figuring again for the in-form Hobbs and White training team.

DONCASTER

2.05

FORWARD PLAN looked rusty when fourth in the Badger Beers Chase at Wincanton last month.

He won this race second-time-out last season and can repeat the feat with the bit of cut in the ground he needs.

He’s only 4lb higher than his last win and always runs his race.

Gaboriot did well to finish third at Aintree on return given the trip was on the short side. That was a promising effort and he’ll be a threat upped to a more likely distance.

More rain would help his chances as soft ground is ideal.

Kim Bailey has a good record in this race and his Does He Know has run well enough on both starts this season at Cheltenham.

His last win came here and he’s dropped to the same handicap mark. That makes him a danger.

Chasing Fire looked in need of the run at Cheltenham last time and should fare better here with cheekpieces going on for the first time.

Straw Fan Jack was third in the Festival Plate at Cheltenham three runs ago and was rusty on comeback there last time. He’s down the weights and has an each-way shout.

2.40

WEST BALBOA can get back to winning ways returned to hurdles.

She looked all at sea on her two chase runs but she’s a top-level performer over the smaller obstacles and she would be giving lumps of weight away all round if this was a handicap.

This trip is fine and all ground seems to come the same to this daughter of the great Yeats.

Gale Mahler is the obvious danger but she was a bit disappointing when a well-beaten third at Cheltenham last month.

She gets upped in distance here and that could get her back on an even keel.

Ottizzini is proven over this three-mile trip despite her blip in bottomless ground at Haydock last time out.

She kicked off this season with a convincing win at Ayr and a return to that form could see her hit the forecast spot.

Wynenot is another facing a stiffer test of stamina after a solid fourth at Cheltenham 28 days ago. She shapes like a stayer but will have to pull out a bit more.

3.15

NORMAN FLETCHER started this season with an excellent second at Cheltenham and built on that form when scooting in at Huntingdon last month.

He had plenty left in the tank and could easily take another step forward here.

Deploy To Spy is improving with every run and won on handicap debut at Aintree last month.

A 7lb rise in the weights means he’ll have to improve but there’s every chance he will for in-form trainer Olly Murphy.

Altobelli is interesting coming back from ten months off for Harry Fry.

He kept some smart company last season and went off well backed for the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury where he ran as if he was carrying a niggle.

He comes back from a fair mark and a market move would be telling.

Jungle Jack looked in need of the run at Bangor last month but he needs to raise his game in this company.

Lily Du Berlais struggled in a Grade 2 at Haydock on return and was a winner in her last handicap at Kelso in May. She likes this trip and wouldn’t be a shock placer.

Templegate’s tips

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