CHELTENHAM is back! And our top tipster Templegate tackles a brilliant first day of action confident of kicking off the jumps season with a bang.
There’s also some top contests from Doncaster ahead of the big Futurity on Saturday.
Make sure you follow him in and back a horse simply by clicking their odds below.
CALICO (3.35 Cheltenham, nap)
He kicked off last season by winning this race and can repeat the feat from just 4lb higher in the weights. That was his only win of the campaign but he went close a couple of times including when second in the red-hot Red Rum Chase at Aintree’s Grand National meeting. He’ll be ready to go.
JUBILEE WALK (1.33 Doncaster, nb)
James Ferguson’s gelding has been knocking loudly on the door, chasing home Brosay at Ascot before a luckless third in the Ayr Gold Cup, where he finished best of all from a poor position. He stays the trip well, loves testing ground and looks ready to strike with William Buick back aboard.
KING OF KINGSFIELD (1.50 Cheltenham, treble)
He landed a Grade 3 win at Punchestown nine days ago and will be hard to beat if this isn’t coming too soon. He has plenty of pace for this trip and should take another step forward for Gordon Elliott.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
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CHELTENHAM
1.15
BOWENSONFIRE gets the nod in a race where you can make a case for most of the field.
He has been running well for Gordon Elliott in Ireland and went close at Listowel last time when not getting the run of the race.
This longer trip should help and there’s more to come.
The Expensive One scored on handicap debut at Stratford when showing good heart. He can improve in this stronger company.
Classic King improved through last season with a couple of wins at Doncaster.
He went close in good company at Kempton when last seen in March and will be a threat if handling this more undulating track.
East India Express signed off last season with a six-length win here which means he’s 8lb higher now.
He stays strongly and will be right there again.
Montecam looks a big price after a solid run at Bellewstown latest and could easily run into the frame.
1.50
KING OF KINGSFIELD landed a Grade 3 win at Punchestown nine days ago and will be hard to beat if this isn’t coming too soon.
He has plenty of pace for this trip and should take another step forward for Gordon Elliott.
Country Mile wasn’t asked too many questions on his chase debut at Uttoxeter earlier this month.
He was a solid second with more to come but needs to jump better as he made a couple of late errors.
Alnilam finished ahead of him in that race and the champion jockey stays on board.
He did jump really well and looks a nice type.
Centara has been hoovering up Newton Abbot handicaps for Paul Nicholls and looks a big price although he faces stronger rivals here.
Relieved Of Duties is another Elliott runner who won earlier this month. He jumped nicely around Fairyhouse and isn’t out of this.
2.25
CAVERN CLUB ran well here last season and took the Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen.
He was a good fourth at the Lincolnshire track last time and he’s a strong finisher so should come up the hill nicely.
Liverpool Knight is consistent and has run well a couple of times at Uttoxeter heading here.
He has made the frame here before and could repeat the feat.
King William Rufus ended last season winning in a big field here and is a fair 4lb higher today. He should be on the premises again.
Rubber Ball can bounce back from finding an Aintree Grade 1 too much in April.
He won a couple of novice contests before that and keeps it simple from the front.
Torquay Road has won his past two at Sligo and Galway around this trip.
He’s sneaking up the weights but has plenty of ability to cope.
3.00
UN SENS A LA VIE has looked a nice prospect in winning a bumper then over hurdles at Market Rasen earlier this month.
He jumped well there and had plenty left when landing a seven-length success.
He has plenty of pace and should improve plenty for that comeback run.
Fortune De Mer looked to have this race in mind when finishing third on hurdles debut at Uttoxeter 19 days ago.
He won a Listed bumper here last season and should improve for that outing and the fitting of a first-time hood.
Sir Galahad looks solid each-way after a good second at Market Rasen on return.
He has more experience than most of these and the champion jockey on board.
Charles Byrnes sends over Run For Mahler who has shaped well on both hurdles runs and a market move would be interesting.
Jack Hyde held his own in a Chepstow Grade 2 last time and has each-way prospects for Fergal O’Brien.
3.35
CALICO kicked off last season by winning this race and can repeat the feat from just 4lb higher in the weights.
That was his only win of the campaign but he went close a couple of times including when second in the red-hot Red Rum Chase at Aintree’s Grand National meeting.
He’ll be ready to go.
Matata was second in this 12 months ago before going on to land a couple of nice contests.
He was thrown into Grade 1 company at Aintree when last seen where a couple of mistakes proved costly.
This is a more realistic grade and he’s dangerous despite carting top weight.
Jasko Des Dames has had a run this season when a good second at Listowel and Henry De Bromhead does well here.
Brookie found Grade 1 company too much at Punchestown latest after a good novice second at Aintree.
He’s a whopping 19lb above his latest win now so will have to improve.
4.10
DON VIRGINIA absolutely lagged in over this trip at Worcester last month and can strike again.
It was a really strong race for the track and he was in control throughout, going from the front and scoring by 17 lengths.
There should be more to come with the O’Neill team starting the season well.
Arch Empire wasn’t disgraced in a Tipperary Grade 3 for Gordon Elliott last time and may improve for this step up in distance.
He needs to brush up his jumping though.
Dalston Lad was down the field in the Champion Bumper here last time but showed promise in that sphere and should make a nice hurdler for the Skeltons.
He’s related to plenty of good jumpers.
Former Irish pointer Leader Crik is worth a market check on debut too.
4.45
KALANISI FLASH comes from John McConnell who has an impressive record with his Cheltenham runners.
This eight-year-old showed promise when third on chase debut at Downpatrick last time and starts handicapping from what could be a lenient mark.
Rockinastorm has Patrick Mullins up and he landed a couple of good wins early last season and is only 2lb higher in the weights than his last Wetherby victory.
He stays all day and should be in the mix.
The Newest One won this race last year off a pound higher and is best when fresh.
Solly Atwell has won his past two nicely and has a top jockey in Rob James aboard. He’s shot up the weights but should be competitive.
Smugglers Haven was a solid second at Warwick on comeback and has place claims along with Kelce who goes from the front.
DONCASTER
1.33
JUBILEE WALK can wear the crown.
James Ferguson’s gelding has been knocking loudly on the door, chasing home Brosay at Ascot before a luckless third in the Ayr Gold Cup, where he finished best of all from a poor position.
He stays the trip well, loves testing ground and looks ready to strike with William Buick back aboard.
Fine Interview rates a major danger after rediscovering his spark in cheekpieces, impressing on heavy at Pontefract and he likes it here too.
Eye Of Dubai also loves a slog and could go close again having beaten Mister Sox at Ripon in September.
Brosay beat the selection earlier in the year and remains respected if bouncing back from a flat run at Ascot.
Sophia’s Starlight arrives in rude health after her Ponte success, though the quick turnaround is a worry.
2.08
INFRAAD is bred to be a stayer so should get home over this mile on debut in what could be some pretty testing ground.
William Haggas continues in good form and can land another winner.
Affettuoso comes from a family that can produce stayers and Roger Varian has been in decent nick too.
Golden Story is another newcomer from connections that have plenty of joy with juveniles.
He’s another with plenty of stamina in his pedigree.
The betting will be the best guide with no form to go on.
We have seen Arbaawy who has been consistent without winnings. He was a solid third at Newmarket last time and handles some cut.
El Loco didn’t show a lot on debut.
3.18
GREY’S MONUMENT loves it soft and that gives him the edge in this red-hot handicap.
He was far from disgraced in a Redcar Listed contest last time and this is his best distance.
His claiming rider takes off a valuable 5lb and he can go close.
Rogue Diplomat made it three wins in a row over this trip here last time and a 3lb rise in the weights is fair.
The form of his last victory has been franked and he’s a big threat if handling the softer ground.
Midnight Gun has run just twice this season and his proven stamina will be an asset in the conditions.
First Ambition went close on handicap debut at Haydock last time when running on over a mile. That staying power could come in handy here.
Balmacara likes it testing but looks a little high in the weights.
Templegate’s tips
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