Horse racing tips: Templegate’s Boxing Day NAP was breathtaking 12 months ago and can do it again in the big race

TEMPLEGATE tackles a simply monster day of racing confident of banging in a few winners and delivering a true Christmas cracker.

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BRAVEMANSGAME (2.30 Kempton, nap)

He can show his true form and defend his King George title. Paul Nicholls’ star was breathtaking when winning this race by 14 lengths 12 months ago. He then ran another cracker when second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup before hitting the frame again in Punchestown. Nicholls admits he didn’t have him fit enough for his comeback defeat at Wetherby and he may have still been feeling the effects when second at Haydock latest. He clearly loves Kempton where his brilliant jumping is an asset at a track where you can’t afford to make mistakes. He can show his true colours here.

HERMES ALLEN (1.20 Kempton, nb)

He took Grade 1 honours over hurdles last season and made an excellent start to his chasing career with a six-length success at Newbury earlier this month. Paul Nicholls threw him straight into a Grade 2 there and he coped admirably, tanking along and attacking his fences. You would expect improvement and he shapes as though he’ll stay three miles on this speed track.

EMPIRE STEEL (1.35 Wetherby, treble)

He loves a stamina test as he showed with a close-up third on comeback at Kelso last time. He jumped really well there and was only run out of it in the closing stages. He is only 4lb higher than his last winning mark and can make his presence felt.

Templegate’s TV verdicts

KEMPTON

12.45

GENERAL MEDRANO could be the answer to a race where all eight runners have a credible chance.

He has done a lot right since going over fences, winning by nine lengths on debut at Uttoxeter before improving on that with a Huntingdon success.

He was then a close second in what looks a hot little contest at Plumpton with the winner and third franking the form. He stays well and should have more to offer.

Idalko Bihoue was impressive at Cheltenham when last seen in October and should be able to cope with an 8lb rise in the weights. He will try to dictate from the front.

Blow Your Wad was a promising second on chase debut at Sandown, seeing out this distance strongly. There is plenty to build on for trainer Tom Lacey who continues in decent form.

Es Perfecto was second to the useful Ginny’s Destiny at Cheltenham last month. He was coming back from a break there so should build on that fencing debut.

Russian Ruler should come on for his first chase effort at Newbury while Outlaw Peter is better than his pulled-up effort at Ludlow and has had a little break.

1.20

HERMES ALLEN took Grade 1 honours over hurdles last season and made an excellent start to his chasing career with a six-length success at Newbury earlier this month.

Paul Nicholls threw him straight into a Grade 2 there and he coped admirably, tanking along and attacking his fences.

You would expect improvement and he shapes as though he’ll stay three miles on this speed track.

Il Est Francais comes across the Channel with a big reputation having won a Grade 1 himself over the smaller obstacles.

He’s won both his chase starts too, including an impressive Listed success at Auteuil latest. The ground is the doubt for him as his best efforts have come in the mud.

Giovinco was a solid second to a potential star in Stay Away Fay at Sandown 18 days ago. He earlier scored over 3m1f at Aintree so there are no stamina worries. He needs to improve but is capable of doing so.

The others look short of this standard with Marble Sands finishing 12 lengths behind Hermes Allen at Newbury after winning a handicap over 2m on his chase debut.

1.55

CONSTITUTION HILL is on a different planet to any other hurdler in training and just needs a clear round to win.

Put it another way, if this was a handicap he’d be giving between two and three stone to his rivals.

From a betting perspective, second place may not be cut and dried as dual Grade 2 winner Rubaud likes to go off in front and all he’ll do is set it up for Constitution Hill.

That could make him vulnerable to something running on in the closing stages.

Harry Cobden may sit off Constitution Hill and ride for second but if he doesn’t, there may be some value in the Nicky Henderson one-two with First Street.

He has some solid handicap hurdling form and he didn’t seem to enjoy his first taste of chasing that much here last time.

Sceau Royal is 11 now and was beaten 41 lengths in this race 12 months ago. He does have a good record here but is surely on the wane now.

Nemean Lion might have gone close in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham latest but for a bad mistake. He has a Grade 1 third on his CV and could bag another.

Black Poppy has good form at lower levels and likes this trip but really needs to raise his game.

2.30

BRAVEMANSGAME can show his true form and defend his King George title.

Paul Nicholls’ star was breathtaking when winning this race by 14 lengths 12 months ago. He then ran another cracker when second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup before hitting the frame again in Punchestown.

Nicholls admits he didn’t have him fit enough for his comeback defeat at Wetherby and he may have still been feeling the effects when second at Haydock latest.

He clearly loves Kempton where his brilliant jumping is an asset at a track where you can’t afford to make mistakes. He can show his true colours here – and he’ll have to against Allaho.

He won back-to-back Ryanair Chases at Cheltenham before injury stopped him going for the hat-trick in March.

That race over is 2m4f but he landed a Punchestown Grade 1 over this trip last year so should stay.

There is a slight worry if he’s the same horse after his injury but he won well at Clonmel latest.

Don’t ignore Shishkin who has won all four starts here over shorter trips.

He showed he has staying power when taking the Aintree Bowl but he refused to jump off at Ascot latest. If he’s in a better mood today he won’t be far away.

The Real Whacker won well at the Festival but was too bad to be true at Cheltenham last time, while Hewick and Frodon will blast off in front and are likely to run out of juice.

AINTREE

1.05

FAVOUR AND FORTUNE can carry the famous late Trevor Hemmings green and yellow silks to victory.

He looked a hot prospect when scooting in at Wetherby last time and can take a big step forward here.

Farren Glory did really well to get up and win the Grade 1 Royal Bond Hurdle at Fairyhouse earlier this month after making a right hash of the final flight.

He showed real power to pull away from his rivals at the line and there should be a lot more to come after just three hurdles runs.

Kamsinas clocked a big personal best when scoring at Haydock last time and is another with plenty more to offer.

Jango Baie was well backed before his debut at Ascot and overcome some iffy jumps to get up right on the line.

He is highly regarded by Nicky Henderson and is likely to leave that form behind here.

Florida Dreams won a hot bumper here last season and scored over timber at Ayr latest. This is tougher but he can’t be ignored.

WETHERBY

1.35

EMPIRE STEEL loves a stamina test as he showed with a close-up third on comeback at Kelso last time.

He jumped really well there and was only run out of it in the closing stages. He is only 4lb higher than his last winning mark and can make his presence felt.

Into Overdrive won this race last year and is a massive threat again. He tends to be best when fresh so a 287-day break isn’t a negative. He’s only 3lb higher than last year for good measure.

Given the form of Venetia Williams, you can’t write off her Fontaine Collonges.

He unseated at the first on comeback at Sandown last time and will appreciate this test of stamina.

Does He Know is another returning from a long break and he landed a big pot at Cheltenham last season over this sort of distance. He is another who goes well when fresh.

Houston Texas had a bit in hand when scoring at Carlisle last time but he’ll have to raise his game against this stronger opposition.

Templegate’s tips & Irish selections

Leopardstown

12.00 Anotherway
12.35 Mirazur West
1.10 Karafon
1.45 Striking (NAP)
2.20 Facile Vega
2.55 Chavez
3.30 Cantico

Down Royal

11.40 Mossy Fen Park
12.13 Time For Tea
12.48 Gold Haven
1.23 Ask Anything
1.58 Lar’s Lass
2.33 Ferns Lock
3.08 Mongibello

Limerick

12.25 Bunting
12.58 Jolie Coeur Allen
1.33 Search For Glory (nb)
2.08 Me Wee Bonnie Lass
2.40 Henn See
3.15 Mahlers Cove
3.50 Magic McColgan

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