Horse racing tips: Templegate’s day one Grand National Festival NAP can fly home for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend
TEMPLEGATE tackles day one of the Grand National Festival confident of kicking things off in style at Aintree.
Scroll down for our man’s top tips – and bag yourself £40 in free bets when you stake just £10.
IMPAIRE ET PASSE (3.30 Aintree, nap)
He will be happy to have Paul Townend back in the saddle as Willie Mullins’ No1 rider has partnered him to all four of his hurdles wins. That includes two impressive Grade 1 wins last season.
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This season started with a close second to Stayers’ Hurdle winner Teahupoo before a solid runner-up effort behind Champion Hurdler State Man at Christmas.
We can forgive him a poor effort under Daryl Jacob last time as he didn’t enjoy a switch of tactics to pushing the pace. He missed Cheltenham so is fresh for this and can show his true colours.
SHISHKIN (2.55 Aintree, nb)
It may be a big ‘if’ but if SHISHKIN can run close to his best he’ll win this for the second year running. Like most of the Henderson stars, he missed Cheltenham and was last seen winning the Grade 2 Betfair Chase at Newbury without any issue.
That came after he planted himself at the start at Ascot before his unlucky stumble when going like the winner in the King George at Christmas. We know he likes Aintree, testing ground is fine and this trip on a flat track is ideal. He just needs to get out of bed the right side this morning.
SAINT ROI (4.40 Aintree, treble)
He didn’t get the clearest of runs in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham last time and is better than that sixth place suggests. Rider Mark Walsh was weaving all over the track looking for a clear run and he got knocked turning for home too.
He was a good second to Banbridge in a Grade 1 at this meeting last season and the nudge down the weights will help.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
AINTREE
1.45
GREY DAWNING took his already impressive form to a new level when winning the Turners at Cheltenham last time out.
His jumping was fantastic as he tanked through the soft ground before scoring with something left in the tank.
That built on his 14-length Grade 2 victory at Warwick in January and he’s scored around flat Haydock so this track shouldn’t be an issue.
It looks hard for Ginny’s Destiny to turn that Festival form around for all that he ran a cracker to be second in that Turners.
He ralllied again on the run-in as Grey Dawning maybe idled a bit which suggests this speed track may not be ideal.
He’ll have no issues with the ground but is likely to settle for a place again.
Paul Townend gets back on Il Etait Temps who never seemed happy in the Arkle last time out. He made early jumping errors and could never get in the game.
Today’s jockey upgrade could help on that score and he showed he has a mighty engine when winning the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown.
I would just favour him over Ginny’s Destiny for the forecast spot.
Blow Your Wad proved he was more than a handicapper when winning the Pendil at Kempton in February.
He swerved the Festival so comes here fresh and that could help him narrow the gap with his more talented rivals.
Colonel Harry has been holding his own at the very highest level without getting his head in front.
He was well beaten in the Turners and should struggle against this standard of opposition.
2.20
LET’S hope SIR GINO puts the smile back on Nicky Henderson’s face.
He was odds-on for the Triumph Hurdle before being pulled after Seven Barrows was hit by a bug that hopefully is under control now.
That’s not ideal preparation for this classy contest but he is at least fresh and his form earlier this season was impressive.
He was a 10-length winner at Cheltenham when last seen in January and something close to that would be good enough.
Kargese was just outstayed by a Willie Mullins stablemate when second in the Triumph and this race looks perfect given Aintree doesn’t have the dreaded hill.
He is proven in heavy conditions and looks the one to cash in should the Henderson hotpot fail to perform for whatever reason.
Kalif Du Berlais has been kept fresh with this race in mind since his battling Adonis Hurdle win at Kempton.
He’ll have to improve on that but likes it soft and this is just his fourth run. There is more to come.
Nurburgring got too far back in the Triumph and could never land a blow. He went close in a couple of decent races before that but needs to raise his game.
It’s early days for Interlotto but he was well held on his last crack at a Grade 1.
2.55
IT may be a big ‘if’ but if SHISHKIN can run close to his best he’ll win this for the second year running.
Like most of the Henderson stars, he missed Cheltenham and was last seen winning the Grade 2 Betfair Chase at Newbury without any issue.
That came after he planted himself at the start at Ascot before his unlucky stumble when going like the winner in the King George at Christmas.
We know he likes Aintree, testing ground is fine and this trip on a flat track is ideal. He just needs to get out of bed the right side this morning.
The Gold Cup form gets a test with three of the beaten horses coming here.
Gerri Colombe ran a belter to finish second with the longer trip on heavy ground bringing out his best.
Coming back in distance on a speedier track isn’t your first thought but the ground should make this enough of a test for him to go close.
Bravemansgame doesn’t stay the Gold Cup trip and should be a lot happier here.
He didn’t show his true colours at Cheltenham and has solid place claims here.
Gentlemansgame made a couple of mistakes and was hammered in the Blue Riband.
He beat Bravemansgame in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby but may struggle to repeat that here.
Corbetts Cross won the National Hunt Chase without breaking sweat.
This is a tougher assignment but his stamina will be an asset in the ground and he could run into the frame.
Ahoy Senor likes it here but has been in poor form for a while.
3.30
IMPAIRE ET PASSE will be happy to have Paul Townend back in the saddle as Willie Mullins’ No1 rider has partnered him to all four of his hurdles wins.
That includes two impressive Grade 1 wins last season.
This season started with a close second to Stayers’ Hurdle winner Teahupoo before a solid runner-up effort behind Champion Hurdler State Man at Christmas.
We can forgive him a poor effort under Daryl Jacob last time as he didn’t enjoy a switch of tactics to pushing the pace.
He missed Cheltenham so is fresh for this and can show his true colours.
Main rival Bob Olinger also swerved the Festival and was a place ahead of the tip when they met last time.
He likes heavy ground and has plenty of stamina. He’s proven at this level and will be right there again.
Luccia gets a handy 7lb mare’s allowance and was a brilliant third in the Champion Hurdle.
She was third in a Grade 1 here last season and can grab third ahead of Langer Dan who bounced back to win the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.
He is a bit short of this level but has an each-way shout.
4.05
ITS ON THE LINE can improve on last year’s fall and keep up the fine record of horses coming from the Cheltenham Foxhunter to score at Aintree.
Six of the past 11 winners of this ran there. Top amateur Derek O’Connor stays on board after their excellent second at the Festival where he was just edged out after being up with the pace for the whole race.
He found the ground too quick here 12 months ago and that definitely won’t be an issue today. He’s usually a sound jumper.
Time Leader was a good third at Cheltenham and was fifth in this 12 months ago.
There’s every chance he’ll match that or maybe go even closer this time.
Spyglass Hill can’t have it muddy enough as he showed with a gutsy win at Haydock last time.
He can make the odd mistake as he showed when unseating in the Grand Sefton over this track way back in 2021. But he’s got a big engine and can figure.
Tea Clipper has run well at this meeting a couple of times and this challenge may help him break his run of placed efforts.
Romeo Magico has few miles on the clock and is open to improvement.
4.40
SAINT ROI didn’t get the clearest of runs in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham last time and is better than that sixth place suggests.
Rider Mark Walsh was weaving all over the track looking for a clear run and he got knocked turning for home too.
He was a good second to Banbridge in a Grade 1 at this meeting last season and the nudge down the weights will help.
Grand Annual winner Unexpected Party is greatly respected and his prominent style is ideal for Aintree.
He’s up 8lb but should be competitive again on ground that suits.
Whiskeywealth is the potential big improver in the race having won impressively at Gowran last time.
He has 11lb more on his back today but loves the mud and can hit the frame.
Dancing On My Own won this last year on the back of a second in 2022.
He’s much higher in the weights but we know this challenge suits and he’s had a break since his Fairyhouse sixth.
Homme Public has been impressive in small fields and has more to offer on just his fifth chase run off what looks a fair mark.
Path D’Oroux was a good third in the Grand Annual and is another to consider along with the improving Heltenham who has won two nice races at Newbury heading here.
5.15
HONKY TONK HIGHWAY looked greener than the track when winning a Listed bumper at Sandown on debut for Dan Skelton.
This Milan mare won an Irish point earlier in her career but will clearly come on plenty for that first effort under Rules.
She enjoyed the soft ground and looks capable of good things.
Willie Mullins is always respected in bumpers and his Baby Kate has been off since winning in this grade at Cheltenham in November.
It was bottomless that day and she won’t lack for stamina. She deserves to head the betting as we know she’ll be fit for this return.
Mongibello didn’t look right when down the field at Leopardstown in February. She had earlier scored in style at Down Royal and could easily bounce back.
Diva Luna scored from the front when winning a Listed contest at Market Rasen on debut.
You need to be speedy to win there so Aintree should suit.
Paul Nicholls has a good chance with Jubilee Alpha who is another who won first-up at Wincanton.
She enjoyed the soft ground there while Sir Mark Prescott’s Donny third Solid Silver is worth a market check.
Templegate’s tips
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