Horse racing tips: Templegate’s NAP created a smart impression on debut for champion trainer Paul Nicholls

TEMPLEGATE tackles Friday’s racing confident of finding some early Christmas crackers.

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WELCOM TO CARTRIES (1.20 Ascot, nap)

Created a really good impression when making his debut here last time. Trainer Paul Nicholls had him well schooled as he jumped his hurdles like an old hand. He hit the front a couple of times under Harry Cobden before just being run out of it by a more experienced rival in the final 50 yards. The winner has gone on to run a cracker in stronger company at Cheltenham so the form looks decent enough. That was a really good start for this Irish point-to-point winner who should take another big step forward with that run under his belt. The third home from last time — Ideal Des Bordes — reopposes but he has 15 lengths to make up.

IMPERIAL ALEX (2.50 Uttoxeter, nb)

Tom Lacey’s six-year-old has yet to be out of the first three since making the switch from hurdles to fences. He kicked off this season with a third at Plumpton before stepping up with a big-field second at Warwick last month. He more than matched that form when going down in a tight finish at Newcastle last time. His real asset is stamina and he wasn’t stopping over a similar trip to today’s at Gosforth Park. Soft ground brings out the best in him too and there are few tracks that get as testing as Uttoxeter on heavy going. He has crept up the weights a little but still looks ahead of the handicapper.

BRECHIN CASTLE (3.40 Ascot, treble)

This son of 1996 St Leger winner Shantou kicked off with a 14-length success at Sedgefield on October. That was enough for connections to thrown him into the much deeper waters of a Listed bumper at Cheltenham last month. He came through that with flying colours, winning by more than two lengths. There’s talk of going back for the Champion Bumper in March and this looks a nice stepping stone.

Lucky 15 bet

KANDOO KID (3.05 Ascot)

Dug deep to land his first win over fences at Newbury earlier this month. He needed the winner to make a mistake late on but made the most of his chance to score by two lengths. He will need to improve again but has more to offer.

Con job is on

IF you offered the boys in braces who ply their trade in the City of London a 10% profit for five minutes’ work, they would bite your hand off quicker then you can say ‘new Ferrari’.

That’s what looks to be on offer in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day where Constitution Hill is 1-10 to come out on top.

It’s a cliche there’s no such thing as a certainty but surely only a drunk in a Santa suit staggering on the track — Kicking King style — can stop him.

He could end up the shortest-priced runner of the century in a Grade 1 if he gets any shorter.

Constitution Hill was 1-8 when winning the Aintree Hurdle but it’s another Nicky Henderson star who holds the record.

That was Altior who went off at 1-10 when taking the 2019 Clarence House Chase at Ascot.

But, beware, horses have been beaten in Grade 1s at 1-5 twice and 2-13.

Hendo’s your man though with a 91% strike-rate with his shorties in these races — better even than Willie Mullins.

Templegate’s tips

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