Horse racing tips: Templegate NAP didn’t break sweat winning last time and can give JP McManus another Cheltenham winner

TEMPLEGATE tackles day one of Cheltenham’s November meeting hellbent on finding you a few winners.

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IMPOSE TOI (4.05 Cheltenham, nap)

He didn’t have to break sweat when winning at Ludlow last time out in May. Despite not having to hit top gear, he clocked a decent time and had plenty left in the tank. This is a hotter contest but the handicapper has been fair with his opening mark of 121 and Nicky Henderson has made a decent start to the season.

DELTA WORK (2.55 Cheltenham, nb)

He saw off Galvin in a thriller to retain his Festival cross-country crown and he can get the better of his stablemate again. They both enjoy this track but Delta Work has more experience of the unique test and he’s fit from a nice tune-up at Punchestown last month. He likes this decent ground and is has plenty of stamina.

TRIPLE TRADE (1.45 Cheltenham, treble)

He came flying up the hill on his seasonal comeback here last month only for the line to come too soon. In an ideal world he would have an extra furlong or two but he’ll be match-fit now, he likes the track and is only 1lb higher in the handicap. He can strike for in-form Joe Tizzard.

Templegate’s TV guide

1.10

PINNACLE PEAK was impressive when winning a similar contest to this here last time for Martin Keighley.

He tanked along over 2m4f and hit the front at the bottom of the hill before storming away.

On paper, this looks a slightly easier race and the extra furlong holds no fears.

Thanks to his rider’s claim, he is effectively 4lb lower in the weights today and will take a lot of stopping.

Doughmore Bay is coming along nicely and followed and followed a debut win at Worcester with a solid second back at the same track. He has lots of staying power and his opening handicap mark looks fair.

Off To A Flyer finished last season with a smooth success at Ayr.

He stays strongly and trainer Joe Tizzard has made a good start to the campaign. He’s creeping up the weights but should have more to come.

Henry De Bromhead has already had plenty of Cheltenham success this season so his Gentle And Kind warrants respect.

She jumped well when scoring on just her second hurdles run at Tramore and doesn’t have much weight.

Son Of The Somme enjoyed coming back over hurdles when a close-up third at Ayr. This is tougher but he could sneak a place.

More rain would bring mudlark Uncle Bert right into it while White Rhino keeps winning lesser races and is best over this trip.

1.45

TRIPLE TRADE came flying up the hill on his seasonal comeback here last month only for the line to come too soon.

In an ideal world he would have an extra furlong or two but he’ll be match-fit now, he likes the track and is only 1lb higher in the handicap. He can strike for in-form Joe Tizzard.

Calico is the interesting runner in the race having given Jonbon a scare twice last season.

He was running a cracker in the Grade 1 Maghull at Aintree before falling at the last.

He likes this trip and should be fit on comeback for the Skeltons. He ran well over hurdles here last season so there should be no track worries.

Madara is another who didn’t finish his race last time but still created a good impression.

He was picking up well before unseating three out here last month. He looked likely to go close and can hit the frame if getting around this time.

Guy travelled sweetly in that race but – not for the first time – didn’t get up the hill and faded into fifth. It’s likely to be a similar story on Friday.

Do Your Job was a Grade 2 winner last season but has been poor since.

He was rusty on comeback at Aintree in the Old Roan and it would be no surprise to see him run a lot better here.

2.20

JPR ONE looks the answer to this tricky puzzle. He was useful over hurdles but already looked a good chasing prospect when winning on debut at Newton Abbot last time.

It was the way he travelled and jumped like a natural that stood out and he has a bright future over fences.

This is a Grade 2 in name only so he should be able to cope with the slightly stronger opposition.

Mighty Tom was sixth in the Galway Hurdle so is no mug and was pitched into a Grade 3 at Cork for his chase debut.

He was beaten ten lengths into second but jumped well enough and should learn from the experience.

Homme Public was well backed before scoring on his first attempt over the larger obstacles at Wetherby last month.

He has plenty of pace for this trip and is another with scope to improve.

Petit Tonnerre has solid hurdles form and went close in the County Hurdle at the Festival. Watch for a market move on this chasing debut.

2.55

DELTA WORK saw off Galvin in a thriller to retain his Festival cross-country crown and he can get the better of his stablemate again.

They both enjoy this track but Delta Work has more experience of the unique test and he’s fit from a nice tune-up at Punchestown last month.

He likes this decent ground and is has plenty of stamina. It will be a close-run thing though as Galvin is 6lb lower when you take off his rider’s allowance.

Rob James is an amateur in name only and is no stranger to the big stage.

The Gordon Elliott pair have to give plenty of weight way which gives Back On The Lash a chance to win this for the third year running.

He was rustier than an old gate at Exeter last time and will be a lot fitter here.

We know he likes the track and this is his chance rather than off level weights at the Festival.

Musical Slave is an interesting runner for Hobbs and White. He shaped well when second at Wincanton on comeback and has a good engine.

He can lose concentration over conventional fences so may take to this challenge.

Latenightpass has a decent record on Aintree’s Grand National course so should be fine here.

He stays and handles any ground so could hit the frame under Gina Andrews.

3.30

CAPTAIN TEAGUE was already in plenty of notebooks after his excellent third in the Champion Bumper at the Festival.

But he more than lived up to the hype when bolting up in the Grade 2 Persian War on his hurdling debut at Chepstow last month.

He still looked green under Harry Cobden but drew well clear of his rivals without having to hit top gear. He could to the very top for Paul Nicholls.

Moonovercloon has lots of experience and travelled strongly here last time before fading in the final furlong.

This drop back in distance can help him get home but he needs to improve.

Kinbara hasn’t had a lot to beat in winning his two hurdles spins but he’s done it well and has an each-way shout.

The Big Doyen has won a couple of novice contests and held his own in Listed company at Limerick.

This is tougher but he should be capable of improvement.

Sequestered enjoyed the mud when winning at Galway over this sort of trip last time.

He’ll have to raise his game again but is one of many in the hunt for a place.

4.05

IMPOSE TOI didn’t have to break sweat when winning at Ludlow last time out in May.

Despite not having to hit top gear, he clocked a decent time and had plenty left in the tank.

This is a hotter contest but the handicapper has been fair with his opening mark of 121 and Nicky Henderson has made a decent start to the season.

Tintintin has had a wind op ahead of this comeback and he was never out of the first two in four runs last term.

He’s another who could be ahead of the handicapper for Fergal O’Brien.

Innatendue is a bit unpredictable but ran well a couple of times for Tony Martin before moving back to original handler John McConnell. She is worth keeping an eye on.

Caithness has been in fine form at Kelso with back-to-back wins.

He is up 8lb for the most recent of those but he stays well and will have no problems getting up the hill.

Brook Bay improved at Wetherby last time when not getting the best of runs.

He has a fair weight for this handicap debut and can improve.

Showman went down in a photo on handicap debut at Cork 12 days ago.

Canny Peter Fahey raises his sights here but there’s more to come so he’s not overlooked for a place at least.

Artistic Endeavour went close at Chepstow latest when fighting back once headed.

That bodes well for the Cheltenham stamina test and he’s another each-way hopeful.

Templegate’s tips

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