Horse racing tips: Templegate NAP for the Skeltons can start new year with a bang at Cheltenham

TEMPLEGATE looks to start the new year with a bang thanks to a load of winners on Sunday.

Read on for our man’s top tips and back a horse by clicking their odds below.

MIDNIGHT RIVER (1.55 Cheltenham, nap)

He did really well to finish a close-up third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here last time after going wide for most of the way.

He handled the track well and has every chance again off the same handicap mark.

COOPER’S CROSS (1.35 Musselburgh, nb)

He went close in good company at Aintree last time when one late error proved costly.

He had earlier scored by an easy seven lengths at Carlisle and his best efforts have been over this trip.

MONMIRAL (1.20 Cheltenham, treble)

He was high-class over hurdles and showed plenty of promise on his chase debut at Warwick in November.

He had the bad fortune to come up against Jonbon there but he jumped well and looked natural enough over the bigger obstacles.

Templegate’s TV verdicts

CHELTENHAM

1.20

MONMIRAL was high-class over hurdles and showed plenty of promise on his chase debut at Warwick in November.

He had the bad fortune to come up against Jonbon there but he jumped well and looked natural enough over the bigger obstacles.

He should improve for that run fitness wise and this extra half-mile is also in his favour.

Beauport landed a Listed prize at Carlisle on his chase debut and ran well again at Haydock last time when a muddling pace wasn’t ideal in a three-runner race. He is a strong stayer who can make this a proper test.

Thunder Rock has done well since switching to the bigger obstacles, landing handicaps at Uttoxeter and Ascot.

He moves up in distance here, which looks a wise move, and he’s another with a lot more to offer in this tricky puzzle.

Mortlach found the Kauto Star beyond him on Boxing Day and it’s interesting to see Fergal O’Brien turn him out so quickly.

The Real Whacker looked a natural chaser when winning a novice contest on debut here but this is a lot tougher.

Harper’s Brook didn’t have a lot to beat at Bangor but did it nicely. He needs more for this.

1.55

MIDNIGHT RIVER did really well to finish a close-up third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here last time after going wide for most the way.

He handled the track well and has every chance again off the same handicap mark.

Stolen Silver unseated in that race at the third last when still going well enough.

He was coming back from seven months off so could well be fitter for the run. He finished last season scoring in good company over this course and distance. Brave Seasca was impressive when winning at Aintree last time.

The handicapper has hiked him 9lb for that but he looks capable of improvement.

Il Ridoto is another from the Paddy Power. He travelled well but ran out of steam a little up the hill and had to settle for fourth.

That was his first run of the campaign and he could improve for it from 1lb lower.

Deyrann De Carjac looks a big price to hit the frame after a solid fifth in the Paddy Power.

The cheekpieces go back on here and they could help him get home better.

Shakem Up’arry jumped well when winning at Exeter on comeback. This is tougher but it’s relatively early days over fences and a 5lb rise is fair.

2.30

FIRST STREET was a cracking second in the County Hurdle here in March and stepped up on that form when winning at Newbury last time.

He dug deep when challenged and looked to have lots left crossing the line. He deserves this step up in class with the longer trip looking likely to suit.

I Like To Move It was impressive when winning the Greatwood Hurdle here in November.

He just kept grinding it out and was full of running crossing the line.

He can make errors so was helped by the low sun meaning hurdles were omitted but he is a major player.

Marie’s Rock won the Close Brothers at the Festival and showed that was no fluke when following up in another Grade 1 at Punchestown.

She stays well and we know the track suits. The only worry is her 246-day absence.

Knappers Hill is already proven in this grade after winning the Elite at Wincanton last time.

He has improved with every run and his progression isn’t likely to have stopped yet.

This looks a deeper race than last time though.

Dashel Drasher mixes chasing and hurdling with success. He needs to step up on what we’ve seen over timber but this trip and track suit.

3.05

HECTOR JAVILEX ran well here last time and looks a big price for another major effort. He was making his handicap debut and shaped well in fourth.

That experience and this longer trip should both bring improvement.

Jet Of Magic would have won at Taunton last time but for a late mistake. He stays well and should give another good account.

Call Me Lord has gone well on his two starts this season and went down in a head-bobber at Sandown last time out.

He won a Grade 2 here at his best and will be right on the premises again.

Dolphin Square can give galloping dentist David Maxwell another good spin after winning five of his past six races, including a hot handicap here.

This is his toughest test yet but the handicapper has been fair with a 2lb rise.

Abuffalosoldier improved for stepping up to this trip when scoring in a battle at Newbury last time.

That was just his second handicap run so there should be improvement to come despite a 6lb walk up the weights.

MUSSELBURGH

1.35

COOPER’S CROSS went close in good company at Aintree last time when one late error proved costly.

He had earlier scored by an easy seven lengths at Carlisle and his best efforts have been over this trip.

He still looks fairly handicapped and can go close again.

Minella Drama was no match for the tip in Cumbria but he’s a Grade 2 winner at best and is respected over his best distance.

Pay The Piper travelled well when third at Kelso but made a few jumping errors.

If he can iron those out he’ll be a major force in this company.

Dubai Days went well for a long way in that same Kelso contest and could be suited by this stiffer test of stamina.

Half Shot won over hurdles here last time with something left in the tank.

His last chase outing was an easy Sedgefield win in October and he can’t be ruled out despite a 9lb rise in the weights.

2.45

FIRST IMPRESSION was just getting going at the end of two miles when second at Huntingdon last time and this stiffer track should be ideal.

That was another good effort after a solid fourth at Cheltenham and he has more to offer at this early stage of his hurdling career.

Al Zaraqaan was an easy winner here last time when winning at today’s trip. The handicapper has shunted him up 9lb for that but he’ll be competitive again.

Homme Public scored at Wetherby and went well in an arguably stronger race than this at Sandown latest.

He gets on well with today’s rider who takes off a valuable 5lb.

Parisencore has had a little nudge down the weights for a rare modest effort at Newbury last time.

He had earlier won three out of four and it would be no surprise to see him come back to form.

Templegate’s tips

Irish tips

Tramore

11.55 Quais De Paris

12.30 Mastermind

1.05 Lisnagar Fortune

1.40 Fons Vivus (nb)

2.15 Stattler

2.50 Joeswayornoway

3.25 Beating The Odds

Fairyhouse

12.15 Harmonya Maker

12.50 Mister Bo

1.25 Warm In Gorey (NAP)

2.00 Elusive Sea

2.35 Scarlet And Dove

3.10 James Du Berlais

3.45 Chrisco

FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

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 playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk

Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org