TEMPLEGATE takes on the final day of Cheltenham Festival confident of smashing in a few winners to end the week in style.
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L’EAU DU SUD (2.10 Cheltenham, nap)
He was a cracking second in the red-hot Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last time and can add to Dan Skelton’s fantastic record in this race. He’s won it four times since 2016 and this six-year-old comes here fresh after just two runs this season. He still looks on a fair mark and won’t mind what the ground does under brother Harry.
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (3.30 Cheltenham, nb)
He can become another dual Gold Cup winner for Willie Mullins. He was superb when taking this race 12 months ago by seven lengths after a brilliant round of jumping. It looked like the race had left its mark as he was beaten by Fastorslow at Punchestown twice after his Cheltenham heroics.
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But he put those worries to bed in fine style when destroying his rivals to land the Savills Chase by 23 lengths at Christmas. He didn’t have to hit those highs when winning the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown last month and he can show his true colours here.
STORM HEART (1.30 Cheltenham, treble)
He caught the eye when second in the red-hot Spring Hurdle at Leopardstown last month. He was out wide for much of the race before coming home strongly. This more stamina-sapping track should bring lots of improvement.
Templegate’s race-by-race guide
1.30
IT’S such a shame that the Nicky Henderson horses are off colour and Sir Gino is not.
With him on the sidelines, we’ll go with the Willie Mullins/Paul Townend team that have won three of the past runnings of this.
They have STORM HEART this time who caught the eye when second in the red-hot Spring Hurdle at Leopardstown last month.
He was out wide for much of the race before coming home strongly. This more stamina-sapping track should bring lots of improvement.
Kargese was in front that day and did the job nicely. She will be on the premises again. The placed horses are worth a look too.
Marjborough looked a little green when coming home in third place and has more to offer.
Bunting showed signs of inexperience too in finishing fourth and didn’t get the clearest of runs. He’s in the each-way picture.
Keep an eye for a market move about Salvator Mundi who has had one race in France last year and makes his debut for Mullins. He will be ready to rock.
Nurburgring has a win and place from his two Graded hurdle runs. He has had a break since his Boxing Day third and can figure for Joseph O’Brien.
Salver looks best of the Brits and he’s a Grade 2 winner in the mud. More rain would give him an each-way chance with the extra place bookies. He’ll really come into his own next season.
2.10
L’EAU DU SUD was a cracking second in the red-hot Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last time and can add to Dan Skelton’s fantastic record in this race.
He’s won it four times since 2016 and this six-year-old comes here fresh after just two runs this season.
He still looks on a fair mark and won’t mind what the ground does under brother Harry.
Don’t forget last year’s winner for the yard Faivoir who is only 2lb higher in the handicap.
He was beaten on the nod in the Imperial Cup last week so is in rude health.
Surprise, surprise Willie Mullins has a strong record in this race too with Absurde leading his charge.
He was classy enough to win the Ebor on the Flat last summer before running well in the Melbourne Cup.
He could do with the ground livening up but the handicapper has taken a big chance with his opening mark after a fair Grade 1 fourth last time.
Mullins throws a few darts with Zenta worth a look after a good third at Leopardstown last month.
He was third in the Triumph Hurdle so we know the track suits.
King Of Kingsfield finished a place ahead of Absurde in their Grade 1 with no less than Slade Steel and Ballyburn the two in front.
He hasn’t been clobbered by the handicapper either and must have every chance.
Pied Piper was beaten a neck in this last year and is effectively 1lb lower thanks to his rider’s claim. They won’t be far away while So Scottish looks on a fair weight to hit the frame.
2.50
READIN TOMMY WRONG showed his Grade 1 quality when winning at Naas last time when even a final-flight error couldn’t stop him.
He quickly got going again and powered up the run-in to score on the line. That suggests he’ll improve for this step up in distance on just his third run over hurdles. He’s the pick of Paul Townend.
Lecky Watson wasn’t far behind him in that contest and he has solid place claims at a fair price.
Search For Glory only had two rivals to beat at Clonmel last month but did it with plenty left in the tank.
He’s a guaranteed stayer who looks a big price to hit the frame.
Dancing City had plenty in hand when winning a hot contest at Leopardstown and comes here with more to offer. He’s another who is certain to stay.
Gidleigh Park looks best of the British challenge after a cosy Grade 2 success here to maintain his unbeaten record. He’s another who looks like he’ll improve for this longer trip.
Captain Teague stayed well when winning the Challow at Newbury so is respected. He was a good third in the Champion Bumper last season and Paul Nicholls won this race last year.
High Class Hero is another Willie Mullins runner to watch. He has won all of his five starts but not yet at this level. He needs to improve but could do so.
3.30
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS can become another dual Gold Cup winner for Willie Mullins.
He was superb when taking this race 12 months ago by seven lengths after a brilliant round of jumping.
It looked like the race had left its mark as he was beaten by Fastorslow at Punchestown twice after his Cheltenham heroics.
But he put those worries to bed in fine style when destroying his rivals to land the Savills Chase by 23 lengths at Christmas.
He didn’t have to hit those highs when winning the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown last month and he can show his true colours here.
Fastorslow is respected given he’s beaten the champ twice but he was no match for him at the Dublin Racing Festival.
He was a good second in Ultima last year so there are no real fears about him handling the track. He’s had a wind op since his last run which could bring improvement.
This step up in distance could help Gerri Colombe who was second in the Savills.
He isn’t the quickest but keeps up the gallop and will come up the hill strongly.
Bravemansgame was second in this 12 months ago and has place claims again. His form hasn’t been as good this season but we know he likes this challenge.
Gentlemansgame beat him when they met at Wetherby in November and hasn’t been seen since. He has talent and Mouse Morris is a good target trainer.
Hewick warrants respect after coming from the clouds to win the King George at speed track Kempton last time.
His stamina is slightly in question at Cheltenham and he was starting to fade when falling two out in this last year.
Monkfish has been going well over hurdles and has only run four times since his Brown Advisory win in 2021.
He looks the pick of the big prices ahead of L’Homme Presse who ran only a fair race last time at Ascot and will need to do a lot better.
Nassalam was a brilliant Welsh National winner but would need it like a bog to have an impact at this level.
The Real Whacker was a game winner of the Brown Advisory at last year’s Festival but has found life a lot tougher in open company.
His liking for the track is a plus but he needs a big step forward.
4.10
ITS ON THE LINE was a close-up second in this 12 months ago and is likely to get the more testing conditions he needs this time around.
After a tumble at Aintree, he was a good winner of the Punchestown Champion ahead of Ferns Rock and saw off Billaway in a scrap at Naas last month.
Derek O’Connor has already ridden a winner this week and has every chance of a double.
Premier Magic can prove last year’s 66-1 win was no fluke. He came out and won again at Cheltenham in May and he was a points winner last month so will be fit.
He has every chance of hitting the frame again.
Ferns Lock got the job done nicely at Thurles last time and keeps things simple from the front.
He will take plenty of passing thanks to his proven stamina and he goes on any ground.
Billaway has a win and a second in this race on his CV. He fell in it last season but gave Its On The Line a real scare last time and shouldn’t be written off over a course and distance that really suit.
Samcro has won four of his past five in the pointing field.
He’s a long way from the horse that won the Golden Miller in 2020 and he didn’t stay when 11th in last year’s Grand National. This looks a tall order.
Time Leader is a useful performer at hunter chase level and was fifth in the Aintree version of this last year. He’s won his past three and looks the pick of the big prices.
4.50
DINOBLUE looks on another level after a win and second at Grade 1 level this season.
She was an impressive Christmas winner at Leopardstown ahead of newly crowned Champion Chaser Captain Guinness before proving best of the rest behind El Fabiolo in the Dublin Chase last month.
Going down in grade against the mares makes her very hard to beat under Mark Walsh.
She won the Grand Annual last season so Cheltenham holds no fears either.
The only unknown is the trip but she gives the impression staying won’t be an issue.
Allegorie De Vassy was second in this 12 months ago and may have to settle for the same spot again.
She bounced back from a Fairyhouse flop to score at Naas last time but needs more to win.
Brides Hill was sent over by Gavin Cromwell to score at Huntingdon last time where she looked a strong stayer.
She’s best with plenty of cut in the ground so more rain would enhance her chances.
The yard also saddles Limerick Lace who was a good second in the tough Troytown Handicap at Navan before winning a Doncaster Listed prize at Christmas.
She is a thorough stayer with an each-way shout.
Riviere D’Etel has ability but would be happier going right-handed.
5.30
WATERFORD WHISPERS finished like a train when second at Leopardstown on handicap debut last time so the hill should be ideal.
He was good in winning novice contests at Galway and Fairyhouse and he has a lot more to come for Henry De Bromhead.
He was chased home by another big contender Answer To Kayf at Fairyhouse and he looks a big danger again.
He has since gone close in a Limerick Grade 2 before scoring comfortably at Naas last month.
He stays well and any more rain would boost his chance further as he likes to get his toe in.
On form, No Ordinary Joe would have a massive say but the form of the Nicky Henderson yard has to put you off.
He was second in this 12 months ago and has been laid out to go one better. He wasn’t asked many questions when third at Kempton last time and, on paper, has a big chance.
Quai De Bourbon has won both starts since moving to Willie Mullins from France.
This is his first crack at a handicap and he could be better than this level. He shapes as though this step up in distance will suit.
Better Days Ahead was second behind Asian Master at Navan and he franked the form with a good run in the Supreme on Tuesday. He is one of many with an each-way shout.
Angels Breath ran well in a hot handicap here in October and is 2lb lower now.
He didn’t enjoy three miles at Exeter last time and will be happier at this trip.
Ocastle Des Mottes was a well-backed favourite for the big-field Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last month before showing little after being messed about at the start when having to be reshod.
That was his debut for Mullins after arriving from France and he’s likely to shape a lot better here.
Sonigino landed a nice prize at Aintree in December after running well here but he needs more off this mark in such a hot contest.
Templegate’s tips
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