Horse racing tips: Templegate’s NAP looks a monster that the handicapper cannot keep up with

TEMPLEGATE tackles Thursday’s action confident of building the bank for a big weekend.

Back a horse at the best price by clicking their odds below – and check out his two 12-1 Cheltenham Festival ante-post tips just begging to be backed.

IT’S MAISY (12.45 Catterick, nap)

She rallied up the run-in and should relish the longer trip for canny trainer Sue Smith. That was this six-year-old’s handicap debut and she looked well ahead of the assessor, who has been more than fair with a 4lb rise in the ratings. She saw out 2m7f in the mud strongly there and staying is definitely her game. This extra quarter-mile should bring even more improvement at this early stage of her career and this race looks a little weaker than that Market Rasen contest. Looking for dangers, You Say Its Over has champion jockey Brian Hughes on board but was 17 lengths off the pace at Hexham last time, while Minniemum has been going close and should appreciate these testing conditions.

NEW YORK BAY (6.00 Chelmsford, nb)

Was a revelation when storming to victory at Wolverhampton on Friday. Jockey Aidan Keeley hardly needed to press go before he whooshed to the front to record a five-length success. He stays on board today with his 3lb claim coming in handy. This slightly longer trip won’t be an issue and it will be a surprise if he can’t score again carrying a 5lb penalty for last week’s smooth success.

SUNNY STREET (12.55 Southwell, treble)

Still looked green when running a cracker in second at Wolverhampton last time out. He travelled well enough but took a little time to knuckle down and show his best in the closing stages. He was still within a length of a Godolphin winner who is bred more for Ascot in June than Nottinghamshire in January so it was an excellent effort. Rossa Ryan takes over for this handicap debut and his opening mark of 79 looks a little on the lenient side. There should be a lot more to come.

Lucky 15 bet

NEVZILLA (11.50 Southwell)

Looked a different horse upped to this distance on her track debut 13 days ago. She travelled strongly and had plenty left in the tank crossing the line just a neck behind the winner. That makes her opening handicap mark of 46 a little puzzling as that effort was much stronger than that level. She will take all the beating if matching that effort with only her high draw a slight question mark.

Templegate’s tips

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