Horse racing tips: Templegate’s latest Cheltenham Festival ante-post picks including one ‘ideal’ for the Gold Cup

TEMPLEGATE has sat down, scratched his head and tried to come up with some answers after the Dublin Racing Festival.

After much soul-searching, our top tipster reckons he’s unearthed some fancies for Cheltenham in just five weeks’ time.

PASun Racing’s top tipster was impressed with the finish of one runner at the Dublin Racing Festival[/caption]

Templegate says…

The Dublin Racing Festival posed more questions than answers in many ways when it comes to clues about Cheltenham.

High-profile defeats for Lossiemouth, Blue Lord and Facile Vega have upset some Festival plans, while we at least now know where Honeysuckle will be heading in the middle of March.

I have some sympathy with the view that connections should pitch her into the Champion Hurdle again where she appears to be third or fourth best.

As the old saying goes, anything can happen in a jumps race and her form definitely warrants a crack at the big one.

But it’s the Mares’ Hurdle for which the bookies make her 9-4 favourite.

I am now obliged to say something about Epatante, who I think is a better option for the Mares’ at 4-1 if you can still get some.

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I think Nicky Henderson’s former champ is running close to her best this season and will take plenty of beating if she takes on her own sex.

The fact that Honeysuckle is ducking the Champion certainly increases Epatante’s chances of making the frame in that race should she try – but it’s looking like a cracking showdown in the Mares’ with Marie’s Rock also right in the mix.

Many weren’t impressed with Galopin Des Champs as he won the Irish Gold Cup by eight lengths.

I thought it was a good effort and the way he improved as the race went on was an excellent sign for him getting up the hill at Cheltenham.

He still hasn’t matched the best of A Plus Tard but the defending champion can’t be guaranteed to run anything like he did 12 months ago so he’s obviously the right favourite.

Stattler was put in his place but was coming back into it inside the final quarter-mile and the Gold Cup trip will be ideal for him.

It’s asking a bit to turn around this form but the best price of 8-1 is fair for each-way purposes.

I’ve already flagged up Banbridge for the Turners at 12-1 and he’s as low as 4s now after an excellent effort behind El Fabiolo in the Irish Arkle.

The latter now heads to the Arkle where he looks the only real threat to Jonbon and this performance was close to – if not better – than what we’ve seen from Nicky Henderson’s star.

As for Banbridge, he will have to take on Mighty Potter in the Turners after he enhanced his chances with a smooth success to justify offers of just 6-4 for Cheltenham.

I’ll stick with my early fancy with connections hinting that they may go down the handicap route should they think the Turners is too hot.

I think Banbridge is better than that and can win a Grade 1.

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