CHELTENHAM is back! And Templegate reckons he can start the jumps season proper with some winners.
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CALICO (2.25 Cheltenham, nap)
The Skelton chaser will forever be remembered for pushing top-class Jonbon all the way in the Kingmaker last year. He hasn’t scaled the heights thought possible after that but he’s turned in some decent efforts, especially when fresh. He came back in similar company at Cheltenham last season and was a close second over this trip. He’s just 1lb higher in the weights today and the Skeltons have made a flying start to the season.
GALE MAHLER (3.00 Cheltenham, nb)
Can keep up her excellent winning run. She was better than ever when taking a Galway Listed hurdle last time. It will take a big effort to stop her making it a magnificent seven wins in a row.
ALTMORE (3.18 Doncaster, treble)
Looks a hot prospect for William Haggas. He cruised home at Pontefract on handicap debut earlier this month when he enjoyed the testing ground.
Templegate’s verdicts
CHELTENHAM
1.15
PUSH THE BUTTON was last seen landing a convincing win at Warwick where he went from the front and kept pulling out more.
His opening handicap mark of 132 looks fair and he can go close for Team Twiston-Davies.
Support Act went into many a notebook when cruising to victory by 10 lengths at Doncaster last time out in February.
He was eased down after jumping well around Town Moor and the handicapper has taken a chance with a low opening mark of just 113.
Up In The Air has looked an improved model this season when winning by six lengths at Southwell before a narrow success at Exeter. A 5lb rise for that gives the Nicky Henderson runner every chance.
Anna Bunina caught the eye when six in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last time. It’s been a while since her last hurdles success but she’s dropped to a winning mark.
Wyenot finished last season with a Listed third here and is another to consider along with Callin Baton Rouge who keeps winning at lesser levels.
1.50
SAN SALVADOR took his form to a new level when taking a Roscommon Grade 3 last time out.
His jumping was a lot better there and the winning margin could have been further. He can take another step forward for Joseph O’Brien.
Path D’Oroux was third in the Grand Annual at the Festival earlier this year before two other decent efforts at the Aintree and Punchestown festivals.
He is best over this two-mile trip and looks set for another good season.
Shecouldbeanything battled to take a Tipperary Grade 3 earlier this month. That was over 2m4f but she has shown enough pace for this distance and Gordon Elliott raiders are always respected.
Jazzy Matty has his sights raised after beating four rivals at Sligo three weeks ago. He won the Fred Winter here over hurdles and he should have more to come as a chaser.
Noble Anthem was an easy winner at Sedgefield last time but he’ll need a lot more at this much higher level.
2.25
CALICO is best when fresh and has run his best races in decent ground. He has tumbled down the weights to just 1lb above his last win and the Skeltons should have him fit.
Last year’s winner Dancing On My Own is only 2lb higher and did well to win in the mud at Ballinrobe latest. These quicker conditions should be ideal for Henry De Bromhead’s hope.
Triple Trade has a decent record at Cheltenham and is back to the mark of his last win which came at Ascot. The booking of Harry Cobden takes the eye.
Matata wasn’t disgraced when fourth in the last season’s Arkle. He’s not up to that level but likes this trip and may take some pegging back from the front.
Arclight won a couple of Listed contests before making mistakes in the Pendil at Kempton in February. She may need this run but still has a bright future.
3.00
GALE MAHLER is rising rapidly through the ranks and had 10 lengths in hand when taking a Galway Listed contest last time out in July.
That was over this trip and she can take another step forward here.
Brave Knight landed a hat-trick this summer without really being extended and he looks capable of much better for Paul Nicholls now he faces stiffer opposition.
Valgrand was Grade 2 placed in bumpers and translated that form to hurdles with wins at Uttoxeter and Bangor. He jumps well and can show more here for the Skeltons.
Imaginarium was a modest handicapper on the level and looked a natural over hurdles when winning at Perth on debut. He’s moved to Olly Murphy since then who raises him in grade here.
3.35
ARE U WISE TO THAT has the benefit of top pilot Derek O’Connor in the saddle and it’s still early days for him over fences.
He is only 2lb higher than when winning here in December and he’s better than his mid-division effort here last time out in April. He can go close in this open contest.
Jacks Parrot is on the upgrade and battled strongly to score at Perth latest. He stays well and could be ahead of his current mark of 120.
The Newest One is interesting on this first chase run in two years. He has dropped to his last winning mark and he’s run well over hurdles here before.
Atlanta Brave has tumbled down the handicap and the form of his second in the Mandarin at Newbury last year would put him in the picture for this.
Strictlyadancer won this in 2021 and was placed last season. He’s fit from a solid fourth at Chepstow and could easily hit the frame again.
Ceanndana has been going well at a lower level and won’t be far away.
4.10
MINELLA SIXO managed to clock a decent time when winning by ten lengths at Fairyhouse last time despite being on the bridle for most of the way.
He finished strongly and this stiffer test of stamina should be ideal.
Potters Charm looked a nice prospect when winning on his first spin over hurdles at Worcester last month. Connections think he could be very good and we’ll find out today.
Cloonaira was an easy debut winner before jumping badly when third at Downpatrick latest. Dropping back in trip here will help her chances.
Kingston James tanked along when scoring at Hexham last time. He didn’t have a lot to beat but did it nicely as did Ailt An Chorrain at Perth in August. This is a much hotter contest for both of them.
4.45
IMPERO could be the key to this tricky finale. He’s run just twice over hurdles and had seven lengths in hand when scooting in at Downpatrick earlier this month.
That gives him a fitness edge on some of these and his mark of 119 looks fair.
Inca De Lafayette has shown some promise over timber and likes this distance. He is another on a fair weight and Paul Nicholls will be hoping for more from him.
Aucunrisque isn’t the force of old but he’s won much stronger races than this in his day and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him bounce back.
Here Comes Georgie has won his past two nicely at Perth and deserves this crack at stronger company. A 4lb rise for his latest success looks fair enough.
Fiercely Proud has been pitched into some smart races and should find this easier over an ideal distance.
DONCASTER
2.08
This looks like a battle of the newcomers with QUEEN OF THIEVES just getting the nod.
She has soft-ground sire Pivotal in her pedigree so should be able to handle testing conditions on debut. The Gosdens won this race two years ago.
William Haggas is also on the roll of honour and his Wonder Star looks the main danger. She is by the brilliant Sea The Stars who didn’t mind getting his toe in. Staying shouldn’t be a problem on breeding.
Janey Mackers shaped well in third at Yarmouth on debut. Oisin Murphy stays on board and she looks much the best of those with experience.
Amalfina also has soft ground performers in her family and any market support on this debut would be telling.
2.43
SIERRA BLANCA got testing ground for the first time this season at Haydock last time and was just pipped. The handicapper has left his mark alone and he’ll be right there again.
Bajan Bandit went a bit too quick at York last time and can get closer with a more measured ride here.
Hafeet Alain was a close-up fourth in a big field on the Knavesmire last time and he likes soft ground. He’s a little high in the weights but has an each-way chance.
Mr King tried to make all in the Cambridgeshire but his best efforts have come from off the pace. He likes this trip and won’t be far away.
Harper’s Ferry didn’t get home over 1m2f here last time and this drop in trip looks a wise move off the same handicap mark.
3.18
ALTMORE looked a hot prospect when winning easily in the mud on his handicap debut at Pontefract earlier this month.
The handicapper has shunted him up 1llb but it will be disappointing if William Haggas’s three-year-old isn’t a lot better than his current mark of 87.
Wodao ran a good race in testing conditions at Goodwood 12 days ago. He likes this trip and has a capable claimer taking off what could be a vital 3lb.
Zoum Zoum held his own in a French Listed contest last time. He sees out 7f and that stamina may come in handy in this soft ground, which he handles well.
Magical Spirit won this race in 2021 and his last victory came over this course and distance in April. He’s only 1lb higher today and should be right in the hunt.
Commanche Falls isn’t the force of old but he ran well in a good race at Ascot last time and has an each-way shout.
Templegate’s tips
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