Horse racing tips: Templegate’s NAP can add to Paul Nicholls’ utter domination of this Kempton race

TEMPLEGATE tackles a cracking Saturday of action confident of finding you a fair few winners.

Back a horse at the best price by clicking their odds below – and book your ticket to our brilliant Cheltenham Festival preview night hosted by Matt Chapman.

Also check out Templegate’s in-depth latest ante-post piece, where he puts up a 14-1 chance with a ‘cracking’ record at Cheltenham.

TAHMURAS (2.27 Kempton, nap)

Paul Nicholls has an amazing record in this race having won an impressive 13 of the past 18 runnings. He relies on TAHMURAS this time who was a good handicap winner at Aintree on Boxing Day. It looked as though he would follow up at Exeter last time before he got tired up the run-in. This flatter track should be ideal for Harry Cobden’s mount.

FENLAND TIGER (2.08 Newcastle, nb)

He is an improving stayer who took another step forward when winning here in the mud last time out. That was over three miles but he wasn’t stopping and his good jumping will be an asset in these tough conditions. He still looks ahead of the handicapper and will be hard to keep out of the frame.

BLACKJACK MAGIC (3.37 Kempton, treble)

He loves a good slog in the mud and he should get that today. He ran a cracker to win the Badger Beers at Wincanton in November when it was very testing and has gone well twice since at Ascot and Sandown in the Classic last time. He would have finished closer than fifth there but for a late mistake and the ground was too quick for him. He’s had a little nudge down the weights and can show his true colours.

Templegate’s TV verdicts

KEMPTON

1.15

LARGY POET was a big improver when winning over a similar trip to this at Exeter last time.

He went from the front there and travelled nicely in the testing ground to score by 12 lengths.

Harry Cobden takes over for this handicap debut and even more rain would increase confidence for this improver.

There was a lot to like about Sea Invasion when finishing fourth here over two miles on Boxing Day.

He looks as though this stiffer stamina test will be ideal and his opening handicap mark of 114 looks pretty fair.

Mark Of Gold is interesting for the Moores as he bids for an exact repeat of last season.

Then he won this race after falling in the Lanzarote here and he’ll try to do the same after taking another tumble in that race last time. He’s 7lb higher in the weights but should be competitive.

Joker De Mai can give dentist David Maxwell a good spin. He won at Lingfield before a good Exeter second and it would be no shock to see him make the frame again.

Pentland Hills went close at Donny over hurdles last time coming back from 11 months off and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him run well.

1.50

KALIF DU BERLAIS looks hard to beat after his impressive British debut win for Paul Nicholls here last month.

Harry Cobden had him in the lead throughout and didn’t have a moment’s worry as this four-year-old travelled well and quickened right away.

There is a lot more to come and cut in the ground over this trip is ideal.

Givemefive was a winner on the Flat and has won both his hurdles spins since joining Harry Derham.

He made all to score by 18 lengths at Warwick when he really enjoyed the deep going.

It will probably be a bit quicker here but he can progress and fill the forecast spot.

Captain Marvellous didn’t come off the bridle in winning a minor contest here by a distance when last seen in November.

It’s a slight worry that we haven’t seen him since but he can progress again.

Peking Opera was a Group-race performer on the Flat and he took well to hurdles when scoring on debut at Sandown. This son of Galileo has more to come.

Swift Hawk was highly tried on the Flat and already looked a lot better over timber when scoring at Taunton on debut. This is a lot tougher but he’s worth keeping an eye on.

2.27

Paul Nicholls has an amazing record in this race having won an impressive 13 of the past 18 runnings.

He relies on TAHMURAS this time who was a good handicap winner at Aintree on Boxing Day.

It looked as though he would follow up at Exeter last time before he got tired up the run-in. This flatter track should be ideal for Harry Cobden’s mount.

Le Patron has a 5lb penalty to carry for winning the Grade 1 Henry VIII at Sandown in December. He then flopped at the highest level there when too bad to be true.

It’s too early to write him off and he could easily bounce back.

Blow Your Wad was a good handicap winner on his last visit here on Boxing Day. He was no match for Ginny’s Destiny at Cheltenham last time and this smaller field may suit.

We know trip and track suits so he won’t be far away.

Pembroke found two miles on the short side at Lingfield last time and can be competitive over this trip.

It’s a hot race and Arclight is in the hunt too after back-to-back Listed wins. He has scored here too and stays well.

3.00

LUMP SUM has shown his best in testing ground with an easy win at Ffos Las followed by a big-field success at Wincanton.

That earned him a crack at this Grade 2 company at Doncaster last time where he finished strongly after coming from too far back.

There are several confirmed front-runners in the field which will hopefully set up the race nicely for him to come late again.

Panjari likes to be up with the pace and kept going strongly to score by eight lengths at Musselburgh last time.

He has his sights raised here by Paul Nicholls but he’ll like the ground and can give Harry Cobden a good spin.

Ben Pauling has been in fine form and his Fiercely Proud was a place behind the tip at Donny last month.

It would be no surprise to see him take another step forward here if handling the more testing conditions.

Idy Wood was a solid third in this grade at Cheltenham in October and comes here off a minor win at Plumpton. His best form gives him place prospects.

Secret Squirrel won on his last visit here and is another who could make the frame upped in class.

3.37

BLACKJACK MAGIC loves a good slog in the mud and he should get that today.

He ran a cracker to win the Badger Beers at Wincanton in November when it was very testing and has gone well twice since at Ascot and Sandown in the Classic last time.

He would have finished closer than fifth there but for a late mistake and the ground was too quick for him.

He’s had a little nudge down the weights and can show his true colours.

Anthony Honeyball stablemate Forward Plan was unlucky not to make it two wins on the spin at Doncaster last time. He’s respected although his best has come on better ground.

Flegmatik had a bit up his sleeve when winning here last time and is a thorough stayer. A 3lb rise is more than fair and makes him competitive again.

Bowtogreatness still looked a bit rusty when fifth in hot company at Cheltenham last month and can run well for in-form Ben Pauling.

Lord Baddesley didn’t get the run of the race when second at Newbury and won’t be far away, while Tweed Skirt is interesting coming back from hurdling for Nicky Henderson. Her last chase run was a win here.

Il Ridoto usually saves his best for Cheltenham and looks a bit high in the weights.

NEWCASTLE

2.08

FENLAND TIGER is an improving stayer who took another step forward when winning here in the mud last time out.

That was over three miles but he wasn’t stopping and his good jumping will be an asset in these tough conditions.

He still looks ahead of the handicapper and will be hard to keep out of the frame.

Anglers Crag has looked a different horse since joining Brian Ellison, winning all three starts for the yard.

He kept going up Carlisle’s hill to strike over 3m2f and was impressive at Musselburgh last time.

The ground should be OK although this will be the most testing he’s faced. He’s up 20lb this season but keeps finding more.

Cruz Control has strong form over shorter and is interesting take a big hike in distance.

He was a good second at Doncaster last time and may well enjoy this challenge.

Tommie Beau was a good second in the Southern National at Fontwell last time and will keep going until the finish. He could easily nick a place.

Major Dundee won last year’s Midlands Grand National so won’t be stopping. He has to overcome a couple of poor runs but is coming down the weights.

SOUTHWELL

2.45

CLARENDON HOUSE went close in a Group 2 in Dubai last month and should be too good in these calmer waters.

He landed a comfortable win over course and distance before heading to Meydan and Luke Morris knows what he’s doing around this track.

Diligent Harry looks the main danger after winning in this class at Lingfield 20 days ago.

That was over an extra furlong but he’s proven over this distance too.

Hiya Maite looks a good candidate to hit the frame after a near six-length handicap success over course and distance last time.

He’s had a little break since then but that win came in a good time and he’ll be competitive upped in grade.

Juan Les Pins has held his own in sharp company but would prefer an extra furlong or two, although Southwell does take a bit of getting.

Thunderbear comes over from Ireland where he was below par on turf last time out in October.

He has a Group 3 win on his CV over this trip so is respected but his all-weather form at Dundalk is pretty modest.

Bergerac has shown a liking for this course and distance so looks the pick of the big prices.

3.20

LORD NORTH won this race last year at Lingfield after a break and can repeat the feat.

After that victory we saw him just once more as he landed the Group 1 Dubai Turf for the third year in a row at Meydan.

It looks as though the Gosdens have the same plan this time around and his proven class can see him home over the slightly longer trip.

Military Order had a sighter over course and distance last month when a close-up second.

He was clearly in need of that comeback and can show his true colours here.

Tyrrhenian Sea is respected after a comfortable Listed win at Lingfield on New Year’s Eve.

He should have no issue seeing out this longer trip for trainer Roger Varian.

Eydon hasn’t been seen since finishing fourth in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in April 2022.

He has since joined Andrew Balding and is one to watch with the future in mind as he’ll surely need this.

Forest Of Dean won this back in 2021 but has landed only a minor victory since then.

Templegate’s tips

FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chases their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org