TEMPLEGATE takes on St Patrick’s Day at Cheltenham confident of toasting a few winners with a pint of Guinness.
Read on for his top tips with the big race, the Stayers’ Hurdle, coming at 4pm.
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JUNGLE BOOGIE (3.20 Cheltenham, nap)
He ran a cracker in last year’s Gold Cup until lack of stamina told late. Run once since when winning at Ascot in December so comes here fresh. Likes a bit of cut and can go close at big odds.
LUCKY PLACE (4.00 Cheltenham, nb)
He has done nothing but improve since his excellent fourth in the Coral Cup last term. He didn’t break sweat when taking an Ascot Grade 2 on comeback before taking another step up when winning the Relkeel here on New Year’s Day ahead of newly-crowned Champion Hurdler Golden Ace. Shapes as though three miles is ideal.
MIDNIGHT OUR FRED (5.20 Cheltenham, treble)
He comes here in fantastic form after an excellent second in red-hot company at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting. He saw out an extended three miles there with no problem and is only 4lb higher today. That built on a 14-length victory at Gowran and he’s run well here a couple of times. He was second in a marathon handicap last April and keeps things simple on the front end.
Templegate’s complete race-by-race guide to day three at Cheltenham
1.20 Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
GALILEO DAME was just touched off in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month and looks hard to beat on this drop in class.
She gets a massive 10lb allowance for being a four-year-old and her stamina means Cheltenham’s hill should be ideal.
Sixandahalf was a useful handicapper on the Flat and had lots in hand when scoring over timber last time.
This is much tougher company but clocked a fast time and did it easily.
Maughreen won well at Punchestown last time but the drop in trip and quicker ground are not ideal.
Jubilee Alpha has a chance for Paul Nicholls. She was classy in bumpers and showed a lot of pace when scoring at Windsor last time. There’s more to come.
Aurora Vega had a bit in hand when taking a Fairyhouse Grade 3 last time but he’d prefer to go a bit further.
Karoline Banbou was a Grade 1 bumper performer in France and has done well on both starts since joining Willie Mullins.
He likes this trip and looks solid each-way with more to come.
2.00 Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
NURBURGRING won the Galway Hurdle in August and has shown promise on his three spins over fences since.
He went close in a Punchestown Grade 2 before having an educational pop round Leopardstown at Christmas.
He makes his handicap debut here from a very fair mark of 143 with lots of improvement to come.
Asian Master was fourth in the Supreme Novices’ last season and has been third on both his chase outings.
He shapes as though this longer trip will be ideal and he can give 6ft 4in jockey Thomas Costello a good spin.
Firefox is taking a fair drop in class after holding his own at Grade 1 level.
He likes this trip and his weight of 11st 8lb gives him solid claims.
Springwell Bay had nine lengths in hand when winning a decent handicap here on New Year’s Day. A 9lb rise makes life tougher but she’ll run well.
Caldwell Potter will never shake off his £730,000 price tag but he ran his best race since joining Paul Nicholls when second at Windsor last time.
He could sneak into the places under Harry Cobden.
2.40 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle
FEET OF A DANCER can give trainer Paul Nolan a second Pertemps Final victory in the past five years.
This six-year-old comes here on the back of an excellent third in a big-field qualifier for this race at Christmas.
That was the race his 2021 winner took in on the way to Cheltenham and this six-year-old saw out three miles really well on his first crack at the trip.
Jeriko Du Reponet is another who enjoyed moving up in distance when a good third at Exeter last month.
The cheekpieces that go on for the first time may help him concentrate in this big field.
A bit more rain would be ideal as he loves it soft.
Similar comments apply to Will The Wise who ploughed through the mud to score handily at Naas just 18 days ago.
Cheltenham day three hoodoos and do dos
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
DO DO: Stick with horses aged eight or nine as they have won all nine runnings. A win over 2m2f or further is a major plus as is making your debut in France.
HOODOO: Nicky Henderson has fired 13 darts without a win yet, while horses that rain in a point-to-point also have a modest record.
Jack Richards Novices’ Chase
DO DO: Stick with horses that finished in the first two last time out. Just one win over fences is ideal and north of 137 in official ratings.
HOODOO: This hasn’t been a race for outsiders with most winners sent off a single-figure price.
Pertemps Final
DO DO: Focus on horses that are eight or younger and haven’t won this season. Eight of the past nine winners of this wore a tongue-tie.
HOODOO: You need to have run at least once since the turn of the year and horses older than nine struggle, as do five-year-olds.
Ryanair Chase
DO DO: Back a course winner that has won at least once over 2m4f. Look for horses that have run well at Cheltenham before and are aged seven to nine.
HOODOO: Runners without a Grade 1 win on their CV can be swerved as can any horse making their course debut. Ten-year-olds and over struggle.
Stayers’ Hurdle
DO DO: Back a horse aged six to eight with the Cleeve Hurdle becoming a decent pointer to this race. A past win or place at the Festival is a major plus and stick with second-season hurdlers.
HOODOO: No five-year-old has ever won and horses out of the first two last time have a poor record. Horses out of the frame in the race before usually struggle.
Plate Chase
DO DO: Look for a horse that has won at Cheltenham already this season, with runners aged six to nine having the best record. Last-time out winners do well.
HOODOO: Horses carrying more than 11st 4lb have struggled lately as have horses coming back from more than three months off the track.
Kim Muir Chase
DO DO: Look for a horse aged between seven and nine as they fare much the best. Derek O’Connor is the jockey to watch. A top-three finish last time does no harm.
HOODOO: Horses carrying less than 11st have a modest record as do those aged older than nine.
An 11lb rise is pretty harsh but he’s on the upgrade for Gavin Cromwell.
D Art D Art went down fighting when beaten just a neck at Carlisle last time.
He will enjoy this slight drop in distance and is in the mix too.
Gordon Elliott has an excellent record in the race so his Patter Merchant is not ruled out.
He sneaked into fourth place to qualify for this final at Naas last month.
It would be no surprise to see him run a lot better than that today.
Win Some Lose Some runs off a 13lb higher mark that when he beat the tip at Leopardstown.
That doesn’t totally rule him out but means there’s a lot of improvement to find.
Henri The Second runs for last year’s winning trainer Paul Nicholls.
He went close in the mud at Sandown last time and looks on a fair weight.
He’ll have to raise his game but could sneak into the extra places on offer with many bookies.
Nicky Henderson has another chance with Shanagh Bob who didn’t enjoy dropping in trip last time and will be happier here.
3.20 Ryanair Chase
JUNGLE BOOGIE can dance off with the Ryanair Chase.
He was running a mighty race in last year’s Gold Cup before running out of petrol and will love this trip.
He can edge out Fact To File and Il Est Francais.
Here’s my guide to the field with ratings out of five stars:
DJELO 3 stars
LO on high. Big improver who was an easy Grade 2 winner at Newbury last time. Loves it soft so rain would help. The worry is his best form has come on flatter tracks like Huntingdon where he beat Protektorat.
ENVOI ALLEN 3
SPECIAL Envoi. Won this in 2023 and second last year. Was well beaten in the King George on last start but he goes well fresh and his excellent record in this race makes him a danger.
FACT TO FILE 4
FACE Fact. Won the Brown Advisory last season and has chased home Galopin Des Champs a couple of times over that 3m trip this term. Has a Grade 1 win over 2m4f and plenty of class so will be right there at the finish.
HANG IN THERE 1
NOT all There. Solid handicapper over longer trips but came up well short in the Charlie Hall at Wethebry and drop in trip not likely to make much difference.
HEART WOOD 3
ALL Heart. Best form has come over this trip as he shwoed when beaten a neck in the Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse. He didn’t enjoy 3m last time and can do better dropped in distance. One of many in the place picture.
IL EST FRANCAIS 4
IL est bon. Almost won the King George from the front at Kempton so this trip may suit better. Gets on the front end and jumps well so will take plenty of stopping — if he handles the undulating track.
JUNGLE BOOGIE 5
BOOGIE wonderland. Ran a cracker in last year’s Gold Cup until lack of stamina told late. Run once since when winning at Ascot in December so comes here fresh. Likes a bit of cut and can go close at big odds.
MASTER CHEWY 1
CHEWY lost flavour. Grade 2 performer at 2m and won well last time but staying is a big worry over this trip.
PROTEKTORAT 3
HE’S a Pro. Won well last season and as good as ever when scoring at Windsor last time. Will run another good race and could hit the frame.
4.00 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
NICKY HENDERSON can strike it Lucky in the Stayers’ Hurdle.
LUCKY PLACE is improving with every run and was very impressive when winning the Relkeel Hurdle here last time.
The six-year-old went well on his last visit to Cheltenham and has more to offer.
Defending champion Teahupoo will be a tough nut to crack but he’d ideally like it a bit softer and is way too short.
Home By The Lee seems an improved model this season and can’t be discounted, while it woudn’t be the greatest shock to see old-timer Langer Dan make the frame given his excellent Festival record.
Here’s my guide to the field and ratings out of five stars:
BOB OLINGER 3 stars
BOB on. He boasts a fantastic Festival record with wins on both trips to this meeting. He was far from disgraced in the Grade 1 Savills at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting when second to Home By The Lee. He’s unlikely to have the legs to win but he’ll be ridden to come from behind and nick a place which is very possible.
BUDDY ONE 2
ONE nil. A good fourth in this and the Punchestown version last year. Been chasing this season where things have been tough and he didn’t fire on his return to the smaller obstacles at Gowran in February. His best form gives him a place squeak but he’s got to find it.
CRAMBO 2
CRAM-no. Has won the past two Long Walk Hurdles at Ascot so staying is no issue and he keeps going. Only ninth in this last year and was poor again when stuffed in the Cleeve Hurdle here so maybe Cheltenham is not his track.
FRANCISCAN ROCK 2
ROCK crumbly. Fifth in the Coral Cup here last season, he sees out this trip well as he showed when winning a Punchestown handicap in November. He came up just short in Grade 2 company at Gowran last time and will have to improve to place.
GA LAW 1
AGAINST the Law. He’s spent most of his career chasing including when fifth in the 2023 Ryanair. Was a good second in the Paddy Power and his best has come around 2m4f. This looks a tall order back over timber.
GOWEL ROAD 3
GOW for it. Honest performer who has run some good races here including when winning the Cleeve Hurdle last time. His strong track form puts him in the each-way picture but he’ll need more to win.
HOME BY THE LEE 4
HOME run. Having a fourth crack at this race and his best effort was his third 12 months ago. He has been in excellent form this season with a comeback Grade 2 win at Navan before another victory in the Savills at Christmas. He likes decent and soft ground and looks booked for another place.
LANGER DAN 3
DAN dares. Dual Coral Cup winner is too high in the weights for handicaps these days. He was beaten on the nod for the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle last season so has enough class for this level. He’s yet to win beyond 2m5f so has stamina to prove. But we all know he’s a different horse in the spring as his trainer keeps telling us! So this season’s modest form could easily be left behind today.
LUCKY PLACE 5
LUCKY strike. He has done nothing but improve since his excellent fourth in the Coral Cup last term. He didn’t break sweat when taking an Ascot Grade 2 on comeback before taking another step up when winning the Relkeel here on New Year’s Day ahead of newly-crowned Champion Hurdler Golden Ace. Shapes as though three miles is ideal.
MYSTICAL POWER 3
POWER up. He was a high-class novice, finishing second in last season’s Supreme before winning the Aintree and Punchestown versions. It’s surprising how poor he has been this season, with back-to-back tailed-off efforts. This is his first crack beyond two miles and that will have to rekindle his spark. If it does he would have every chance of giving Willie Mullins only his third Stayers Hurdle . . . but it’s a leap of faith.
NEMEAN LION 2
LION bar. He’s got some decent form around two and a half miles and out in probably the best performance of his career when winning the Grade 2 National Spirit at Fontwell. He goes on any ground and showed real fighting spirit last time. You would expect him to see out the longer distance but he faces much tougher opposition here.
ROCKY’S DIAMOND 3
ROUGH Diamond. He hasn’t got many miles on the clock and put himself firmly in the picture for this race when winning the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park. He also ran well when a close-up third behind Bob Olinger and Home By The Lee in the Savills. He definitely has more improvement in him for small-time Waterford trainer Declan Queally but it will be a shock to see him on the podium.
TEAHUPOO 4
TEA time. The defending champion has had his entire campaign mapped around this race again by Gordon Elliott. Two things see him at his best — being fresh and having lots of juice in the ground. His trainer has taken care of the first. Teahupoo’s run behind Lossiemouth in the two-and-a-half mile Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse on his seasonal debut in December reads even better after that mare hosed up on Tuesday. This longer trip is more in his favour and he loves the track. The only worry is the ground may not be muddy enough for him to be at his absolute best.
THE WALLPARK 4
WALL to play for. He looked better than a handicapper when winning over course and distance in October. That saw him pitched into Grade 1 company for the Long Walk where he was beaten three lengths. Given his liking for Cheltenham and capacity to improve, he has to be on the shortlist. He won’t mind what the ground does either although it was good for his last victory.
4.40 TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase
JAGWAR was impressive when winning here in January and a 7lb rise in the weights won’t be enough to put the brakes on this progressive chaser.
He tanked along over this course and distance before powering away up the hill.
That was his third win from just four runs over fences and he won’t mind if there is some juice in the ground.
Shakem Up’Arry should make another bold bid after winning this race 12 months ago.
He has been quiet this season with this race in mind so is only 2lb higher in the weights.
Thecompanysergeant has not been with Gavin Cromwell for long and showed lots of promise when third over hurdles at Navan latest.
He has an excellent 3lb claimer on board and is dangerous going back over fences.
Il Ridoto is only 4lb higher than his Paddy Power Gold Cup win here in November.
He has run well below that twice since but the first-time blinkers may rekindle his spark.
Ginny’s Destiny has run some fine races over this course and distance and was a brilliant second in the Turners last season.
He has been miles off this this year but he’s coming down the weights and anything like his best could see him hit the podium.
Seddon won this two years ago and is 2lb lower now. He went well in fifth here last time when going too quick in front.
A more measured ride could see him do a lot better.
Masaccio is consistent and was four lengths off the pace here last time.
The first-time cheekpieces could conjure improvement and he’s not out of this for Alan King.
Personal Ambition drops down from Graded level and looks on a fair mark stepping up in trip.
He needs to improve but is another in cheekpieces for the first time.
5.20 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase
MIDNIGHT OUR FRED comes here in fantastic form after an excellent second in red-hot company at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
He saw out an extended three miles there with no problem and is only 4lb higher today.
That built on a 14-length victory at Gowran and he’s run well here a couple of times.
He was second in a marathon handicap last April and keeps things simple on the front end.
Johnnywho has the benefit of the excellent Derek O’Connor in the saddle and he’s been running in Graded company this season with modest results.
He has lots of stamina and handicapping is definitely his game.
Gavin Cromwell had one hammered in the betting to win this 12 months ago and has a couple of solid chances again.
Yeah Man could be the pick as he was going very nicely until a late unseat at Haydock last time.
He’s got plenty of stamina and he’ll be competitive even off top weight.
Cromwell also has Mint Boy who was a solid third at Punchestown last time and has to be considered each-way.
Patrick Mullins rides Sa Majeste who has won two of his past three.
He sees out this trip with no problems and should be open to improvement after four spins over fences.
Walking On Air was in front when coming down at the last in the Great Yorkshire Chase in January.
Provided that hasn’t left a mark he’ll be competitive again from what looks a fair weight.
Nine Graces didn’t have a lot to beat at Punchestown last time but she did it very nicely. There’s more to come from her over long trips.
Manothepeople ran well for a long way when fifth in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh last month.
He found four miles too much there but has winning form over this trip and track and jockey Gina Andrews has won this race before.
Templegate’s tips
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