TEMPLEGATE takes on day one of Cheltenham Festival confident of sending the bookies home with a huge hole in their wallets.
He reveals all his picks for a blockbuster first day from Prestbury Park – with the big race, the Champion Hurdle, coming at 4pm.
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STENCIL (4.40 Cheltenham, nap)
Ran a mighty race behind Triumph Hurdle favourite East India Dock here last time and faces nothing of his class today. He kept up a decent pace for a long way and this two-mile trip is ideal. He likes soft ground and there should be enough juice in it after the taps have been turned on at Prestbury Park. He’s had just four runs and can find plenty of improvement with the excellent James Reveley in the saddle.
TRANSMISSION (5.20 Cheltenham, nb)
Looks to be crying out for this test and can give jockey Patrick Mullins his fifth win in this race – even though he’s taking on pro jockeys this time. Neil Mulholland’s eight-year-old had a bit up his sleeve when scoring in a hot handicap here over 3m1f in November. He then challenged too late when second in December and was kept over hurdles for his prep run. This is his first crack at a real marathon distance and he looks very fairly handicapped.
BROADWAY BOY (2.40 Cheltenham, treble)
Can put his excellent Cheltenham form to good use. He landed two nice prizes here last season and kicked off this campaign with an excellent third in a hot handicap. He then ran an absolute belter in the Hennessy at Newbury when beaten less than two lengths into second. He then returned to quickly when fourth here last time but has wisely been given a break since. His liking for the track and running up with the pace will take him a long way.
Templegate’s race-by-race guide to day one of Cheltenham
1.20
HENRY De Bromhead is streets Ahead in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. His WORKAHEAD can stun hotpot Kopek Des Bordes who could boil over in the electric Festival atmosphere.
He was fizzy at Leopardstown last time and Cheltenham will be a test. Horses wearing headgear have a poor record too.
That gives my fancy a chance to build on his hammering of William Munny last time with Romeo Coolio another danger.
Here’s my guide to the field with ratings out of five stars:
FUNICULI FUNICULA 2
FUN run. Promising French import. Wasn’t seen until January when he routed a big field at Clonmel on yard debut. Has a bright future but this looks a little bit too much at this stage.
IRANCY 3
PLACE fancy Irancy. Missed two years before finishing third at Fairyhouse on debut for Willie Mullins. Off another 11 months before an impressive success at Punchestown in November. Jumps and travels so in the each-way picture.
KARBAU 2
KAR lacks a gear. Yet another Willie Mullins French important, he showed good ace when scooting in at Punchestown in January. He loved the deep ground when jumping well there and will have to deal with these quicker conditions on a sharp hike in class.
KARNIQUET 2
NOT yet Quet. Second on both French runs before striking on debut for Willie Mullins at Tramore in November. Far from disgraced 13 lengths behind Kopek Des Bordes in the Brave Inca and showed good pace in the closing stages.
KOPEK DES BORDES 4
WILL he Kope? The clear No1 of the Willie Mullins sextet, he clocked an excellent time when winning the Brave Inca at Leopardstown on top of two bloodless. minor wins. He is proven on any ground and is the right favourite who will take lots of beating. The negative at a short price is he got pretty worked up pre-race last time and has to face the Cheltenham atmosphere. He’s also bidding to be the first winner in headgear since 1992.
ROMEO COOLIO 4
LOVE Romeo. Last year’s Champion Bumper second won a Leopardstown Grade 1 with ease. He did make one bad error but his brilliant engine took him home. He’s right in the mix for Gordon Elliott.
SALVATOR MUNDI 3
TOR a force. He landed a Punchestown Grade 2 in the mud last time despite making quite a few mistakes. He’s got a good engine though and will have schooled plenty since then. Has that negative stat about headgear but could make the frame.
SKY LORD 2
PRAY for Lord. No match for Salvator Mundi last time with no obvious excuse. Shapes as though a longer trip would help and has a lot on his plate.
TRIPOLI FLYER 3
FLYER high. Britain’s best hope stepped up well to win a Kempton Grade 2 last time in a fast time. Can jump a little to the right, which isn’t ideal, but is a strong traveller who deserves his place but needs more to figure.
TUTTI QUANTI 1
TUTTI frutti. Took a minor ace at Ffos Las but was held in modest company at Newbury last time and this looks a touch optimistic on Paul Nicholls’ part.
WILLIAM MUNNY 3
ON the Munny. Burst on the scene with fast-time win in a Punchestown Grade 2 last month. First-time hood here, which is a negative on the stats, but he’s speedy and could make the places.
WORKAHEAD 5
AHEAD case. After a promising Navan debut, he destroyed William Munny at Leopardstown at Christmas. Henry De Bromhead is great at getting his horses to peak at Cheltenham and there’s a lot more to come from this strong stayer.
2.00
MAJ can reign for Willie Mullins in the Arkle Trophy. MAJBOROUGH doesn’t have anything like the sadly injured Sir Gino up against him today. He showed his class at Leopardstown last time.
L’Eau Du Sud looks booked for second ahead of Only By Night who is overpriced.
Here’s my guide to the small but select field:
JANGO BAIE 3
BAIE must make a splash. Was re-routed to this by Nicky Henderson after Sir Gino’s injury. May have won the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown last time but for a final-fence mistake and would definitely prefer a longer trip. He won well here over 2m4f in December and that liking for the track is a plus. Have to show his very best to edge out L’Eau Du Sud and grab second.
L’EAU DU SUD 4
L’EAU can go. Was a useful hurdler but has taken giant strides since tackling fences and took the trial for this race over course and distance in November without breaking sweat. Dan Skelton then stepped him up to Grade 1 level to win Henry VII at Sandown with lots left in the tank. He made a couple of errors there but jumped a lot better when winning the Kingmaker at Warwick last month. He can give Majborough the most to worry about.
MAJBOROUGH 5
YOUR Maj. Last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner has looked something special on both chase runs so far. After a comfortable debut win, he ran away with the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown last month. He tanked along there and nothing could lay a glove on him. It won’t be quite so easy this time but he looks on a different level.
TOUCH ME NOT 3
NOT today. Saw Majborough disappearing in the distance last time but is a proven Grade 2 winner who deserves his place here. Will have to show major improvement to trouble the jolly but isn’t a mile behind the British pair.
ONLY BY NIGHT 4
Won a Cork Grade 2 before matching that form at Exeter last time. She gets a handy 7lb allowance from the boys here which brings her a bit closer. Is capable of better and no shock to see her hit the forecast spot at tasty odds.
2.40
BROADWAY BOY can put his excellent Cheltenham form to good use.
He landed two nice prizes here last season and kicked off this campaign with an excellent third in a hot handicap.
He then ran an absolute belter in the Hennessy at Newbury when beaten less than two lengths into second.
He then returned to quickly when fourth here last time but has wisely been given a break since.
His liking for the track and running up with the pace will take him a long way.
Henry’s Friend is a Grade 2 winner at best and had plenty in hand when winning at Newbury last time.
He’s another coming here fresh and his stamina will be a real asset for Sunracing columnist Ben Pauling.
The Changing Man broke his duck over fences at Ascot last time with lots in the tank.
He should enjoy this trip and will be a threat if handling this bigger field.
Crebilly was second in the Festival Plate last season and is back from 2lb lower after some quiet runs.
He’s yet to win beyond 2m4f but shapes like he could stay which would make him dangerous.
Katate Dori has been hiked 12lb for his easy Kempton win on the back of victories at Chepstow and Exeter.
The softer the ground the better as he stays all day. He’s got a chance even off this stiffer mark.
The Irish have a shocking record in this race but The Short Go was second here in October and was going well before unseating hid rider at Navan latest.
Famous Bridge was a distant fourth in this last year and needs plenty of rain to repeat that placing.
Lucinda Russell is always respected in staying chases and her Whistle Stop Tour found 2m4f on the sharp side here last time.
Moving up trip looks a wise move with him, while stablemate Myretown ran right away from his rivals over 3m at Kelso last time.
A 4lb rise gives him an each-way squeak. Victtorino has been in flying form at Ascot and would be dangerous if repeating that on this very different track.
3.20
PROVIDED she is over her fall at Leopardstown last time, LOSSIEMOUTH is a different class to these mares.
She was an excellent winner of this race 12 months ago on top of her victory in the 2023 Triumph Hurdle.
It’s fair to say she was being trained for the Champion Hurdle this season which is why she took on Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
The drop to 2m didn’t seem to be ideal and she took a little while to get going before finishing strongly, just over two lengths behind.
It was too far out against State Man last time to know what would have happened before her tumble but she seemed to be going best of the pair at the time.
If she’s anywhere near her best, there’s nothing in this field who can trouble her.
Joyeuse has been wisely supplemented for this race and she looked very much like a Graded performer when winning the William Hill Hurdle in style at Newbury last time.
This is clearly stronger company than that but she scored so easily that she’ll cope and can reward each-way support.
Kala Conti looks a big price to make the frame after a good second behind July Flower who lines up here too. She was sent for home too soon and got picked off in the closing stages.
I fancy her chances of turning that form around with a slightly more considered ride.
Jade De Grugy was impressive coming back from a year off to win the Quevega Hurdle at Punchestown 19 days ago.
She picked up strongly when ridden more quietly than usual. Her stamina is assured and it wouldn’t be a surprise if she gave Willie Mullins the first two past the post.
Dysart Enos hasn’t really fulfilled the potential she showed last season.
She returned with a big-field third here in November but was disappointing at Ascot last time.
It will be interesting to see how she goes tackling this longer trip for the first time.
Take No Chances won a Grade 2 nicely at Ascot last time out in January and she was third in a fair handicap here in December. She will have to improve on that to figure.
4.00
CONSTITUTION HILL can regain his Champion Hurdle crown.
He looked back to his best at Kempton last time and can extend his perfect record to eight.
Brighterdaysahead is an improved model from the one that was second at last year’s Festival and can give him most to do with a 7lb allowance.
BURDETT ROAD 3
ROAD works. Listed-standard on the Flat and is a more than useful hurdler.
He was impressive when winning the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle here in November and he led for a long way in the Christmas Hurdle before the class of Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth told.
Capable of finishing third but needs one of the big three to have an off day.
CONSTITUTION HILL 5
HILL on a different level. At his best, he’s one of the greatest hurdlers we’ve ever seen and his 2022 Supreme Novices’ cakewalk will never be forgotten.
Off-track issues meant he couldn’t defend his Champion title 12 months ago but he looked close to his best when winning the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton returning from a year off.
He didn’t have to leave third gear when extending his 100 per cent winning record in the Bula here last time.
Nicky Henderson says he’s fit and ready. He’ll take all the beating if that’s the case.
KING OF KINGSFIELD 1
KING abdicated. He’s here solely as a pacemaker for Brighterdaysahead who needs this run at a breakneck gallop.
STATE MAN 3
CHAMP KO’d. Won this well last year in Con Hill’s absence but was no match for him in 2023.
His form this season has definitely been below his very best and he finished very tired when taking the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown after Lossiemouth’s fall.
Willie Mullins is adamant he’ll be competitive but even his best form wouldn’t be enough to topple prime Constitution Hill.
WINTER FOG 2
FOG lamped. Regular placer at Grade 1 level but has never looked like winning in this sort of company.
He was down the field in the County Hurdle on his last visit to the Festival in 2023 and will be ridden to pick up any pieces.
That is likely to mean finishing no better than fourth.
BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD 4
HAPPY Days. Gordon Elliott is full of confidence after her 30-length win in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown at Christmas.
She’s been beating a below-par State Man and Winter Fog this season so will have to improve now matter how impressive she’s looked.
Was beaten at last year’s Festival when odds-on but has improved since. The big danger.
GOLDEN ACE 3
GOLDEN shot. Won the Mares’ Novice here last year and put a few modest runs behind her with a blistering victory at Wincanton last time.
She’s best over this trip and trainer Jeremy Scott is in good form. No shock if she nicks third.
4.40
STENCIL ran a mighty race behind Triumph Hurdle favourite East India Dock here last time and faces nothing of his class today.
He kept up a decent pace for a long way and this two-mile trip is ideal.
He likes soft ground and there should be enough juice in it after the taps have been turned on at Prestbury Park.
He’s had just four runs and can find plenty of improvement with the excellent James Reveley in the saddle.
Puturhandstogether also runs in the famous green and gold of JP McManus and he struck in a big field at Cork in December.
He was given a very quiet ride when second at Fairyhouse last time and is another with a fair bit more to come.
JP could also take this with Beyond Your Dreams who won despite making errors at Fairyhouse and can improve on this handicap debut in first-time cheekpieces.
Sony Bill is being dropped down from Grade 1 company by Willie Mullins.
He could well show more for Paul Townend getting on board for the first time.
He’s had just a couple of starts for the Closutton team and may find things happening a bit easier in this class.
Hot Fuss is fit from an easy handicap win on the level and wasn’t disgraced in a Chepstow Grade 2 at Christmas. He likes this trip and looks on a fair handicap mark.
Total Look is another who could show plenty of improvement in first-time cheekpieces for Gavin Cromwell.
He finished like a train into third at Punchestown last time and should enjoy coming up the hill. He looks a good each-way prospect.
Holy See has had three quiet runs in minor contests and it’s interesting to see him thrown in at this deep end for his handicap debut. He can outrun his odds.
5.20
TRANSMISSION looks to be crying out for this test and can give jockey Patrick Mullins his fifth win in this race – even though he’s taking on pro jockeys this time.
Neil Mulholland’s eight-year-old had a bit up his sleeve when scoring in a hot handicap here over 3m1f in November.
He then challenged too late when second in December and was kept over hurdles for his prep run.
This is his first crack at a real marathon distance and he looks very fairly handicapped.
Haiti Couleurs finished a place ahead of the tip in December and will be a danger again. He’s another who has been hurdling to protect his mark.
Now Is The Hour is one to watch on this handicap debut.
He tried to come from a mile back when fourth at Navan over three miles last time.
Moving up in distance looks a wise move and he’s respected for Gavin Cromwell.
Captain Cody has few miles on the clock over fences and was just getting going at the end of three miles when third at Navan latest. His opening mark of 140 could be worse.
Gericault Roque is interesting on just his second run since 2022.
He showed promise when third at Windsor in January and has tumbled right down the weights.
He was second in the Ultima before his layoff and could hit the frame especially with the extra-place bookies.
Stuzzikini was a no-show in the Thyestes last time but earlier won the tough Troytown at Navan over three miles in November.
He’s 10lb higher than that now but anything close to that form would put him in the place picture.
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