HOLD onto your hats! The jumps is well and truly back on Friday with a packed card at Cheltenham kicking off the season in style.
Templegate has gone through the Prestbury Park action in detail below, confident of having found a few winners at a price.
Back a horse by clicking their odds and dig out that tweed jacket – because the National Hunt has returned.
AFADIL (1.35 Cheltenham, nap)
This son of Camelot has already landed a Listed prize over timber and signed off his last campaign with an impressive victory at Ayr.
He has Cheltenham experience through his promising effort in the Fred Winter at the Festival when he finished strongly after being given far too much ground to make up.
Young Freddie Gingell’s 6lb allowance will come in handy too in this hot contest.
TOTO TOO (3.55 Cheltenham, nb)
He beat a big field nicely on his hurdles debut at Navan last time and has plenty more to come.
He’s from a good jumping family and looked a natural in winning by six lengths.
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My NAP for Grand National-winning trainer has bags of potential over fences
There should be a lot more to come from Peter Fahey’s hope.
EL ELEFANTE (2.45 Cheltenham, treble)
She won two bumpers before cruising to victory on her first crack over hurdles at Perth. This is tougher but she can improve.
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Templegate's Cheltenham verdicts
1.35
AFADIL ran a cracker when beaten just five lengths in the Fred Winter at the Festival when trying to come from a mile back.
He’s run well twice since then and could be more than a handicapper come the end of this season.
Teddy Blue has a cracking engine but can make mistakes, like the one that cost him the Swinton Hurdle.
He’ll be thereabouts, while Swinton winner Black Poppy has scored here too and will be right on the premises.
Shetland Tony was a good winner at Stratford and deserves this hike in class.
2.10
MY MATE MOZZIE was on a different level to the other three over hurdles and was fifth in the Irish Ces on the Flat before a solid second on chase debut at Fairyhouse earlier this month. He can build on that and get off the mark.
Jetronic is the interesting one for Paul Nicholls. He won in France in March before moving to Ditcheat.
There will be more to come and the market will be a good guide.
Al Zaraqaan blotted his copybook at Bangor but had won four in a row before that and can edge out Walk In Clover in the battle for third as she’d prefer a bit further.
2.45
EL ELEFANTE can make the most of her mares’ weight allowance and follow up her hugely impressive hurdles debut win at Perth.
She had 24 lengths in hand there and looks a hot prospect for in-form Lucinda Russell.
Tag Man was another impressive winner at Listowel latest and should go well under Rachael Blackmore.
Encanto Bruno has won here and scored on hurdles debut before a poor run at Galway latest.
He could easily bounce back, while Katate Dori has strong bumper form and should make a nice hurdler for Sam Thomas this season.
3.20
PASSING WELL comes from trainer Jamie Snowden who isn’t afraid to throw a young chaser straight into a handicap like this.
He has solid hurdles form over this trip and looks on a fair mark.
Ginny’s Destiny has joined Paul Nicholls to go chasing and was placed in a Grade 2 over hurdles so has ability. He’s worth a close look.
Hurricane Bay always looked a chased so there’s every chance he’ll improve on his solid hurdles efforts.
Downtown Queen can make the most of her experience and make the frame.
3.55
TOTO TOO was impressive when scoring on hurdles debut at Navan last month.
Peter Fahey’s six-year-old fairly tanked along and put six lengths between himself and a useful field with little fuss.
He should take a fair step forward from that and land this nice prize.
Enthused clocked a big personal best when scooting in at Huntingdon last time. He jumps really well and has form at more testing Uttoxeter so should handle Cheltenham well enough.
He has every chance of making the frame at least.
Kamsinas took the eye when scoring at Worcester on his first spin over timber.
He didn’t to get out of first gear and looks a nice prospect for Fergal O’Brien who has started the season well.
Act Of Authority was another impressive debutant who sauntered around Bangor for a 14-length victory.
He wasn’t beating a lot but did it strongly enough to figure here.
Williethebuilder put 12 lengths between himself and his rivals at Uttoxeter and showed a fair turn of foot. This is much tougher but he should give a good account.
4.30
STRICTLYADANCER should improve for his comeback run at Chepstow earlier this month when he wasn’t asked too many questions.
He has a win over course and distance on his CV and is only 6lb higher in the weights now.
Mole Court has been in flying form and made it three wins on the spin at Stratford last time.
He’s a threat along with the consistent Wick Green who did well this summer and has solid place claims.
5.05
LALLYGAG clocked a personal best when a close-up third here last time out in April.
He is back from just l1b higher in the weights over a trip that really suits. He can go close again.
Soul Icon won on this card last year and is fit from a comeback Fontwell victory. He’s up the weights but improving.
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Milkwood has been running in stronger races than this and is down the weights. He’s best fresh so today could be the day.
Serious Operator signed off last season with a gutsy Ayr win and is respected.
Templegate's tips
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