Horse racing tips: Templegate's NAP on day one of Grand National Festival has been kept back for this race

The Sun

12 April 2023

TEMPLEGATE tackles day one of the blockbuster Aintree Grand National Festival confident of finding winners.

Read on for our man's top tips and back a horse by clicking their odds below.

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BANBRIDGE (1.45 Aintree, nap)

He was a late non-runner when fancied for the Turners at the Cheltenham Festival so comes here a fresh horse.

He was last seen chasing home brilliant Arkle winner El Fabiolo at Leopardstown in February and looks to be crying out for this step up in distance.

Decent ground suits best and he is capable of improvement.

SHISHKIN (2.55 Aintree, nb)

He can win what promises to be one of the best races of the whole jumps season.

He came back with a vengeance when winning easily at Ascot before he ran a bit moody in the Ryanair at Cheltenham.

After being out the back for a long way he got going in the closing stages to finish second.

He should appreciate this step up in trip at a flat track like Aintree and Nicky Henderson wouldn’t be running him here unless he had come out of the Festival well.

PAY THE PIPER (4.40 Aintree, treble)

He is in good form and followed an easy Musselburgh win with a head-bobbing second to a useful rival at Doncaster last time.

He looks on a fair weight and can strike.

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1.45

BANBRIDGE was a late non-runner when fancied for the Turners at the Cheltenham Festival so comes here a fresh horse.

He was last seen chasing home brilliant Arkle winner El Fabiolo at Leopardstown in February and looks to be crying out for this step up in distance.

Decent ground suits best and he is capable of improvement.

Stage Star was an impressive winner of that Turners chase as his excellent jumping came to the fore.

He has won four of his five starts over fences and battled well when challenged at the Festival.

This trip is ideal and he was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles at Newbury so doesn’t need an undulating track to show his best.

Saint Roi is a major player too having finished in the Arkle at Cheltenham last month. He travelled strongly but was no match for Jonbon or the impressive winner.

That was a step up from his Grade 1 win at Leopardstowns Christmas meeting and he should have no issue with this longer trip. He is a real contender again.

The others have a big gap to bridge. Straw Fan Jack was beaten a long way in the Arkle and has yet to win outside of modest company.
Visionarian can beat him home. He was a Grade 3 winner at Galway last summer and was only a couple of lengths behind Saint Roi at Leopardstown.

2.20

ZENTA ran a cracker when third in the Triumph Hurdle and that race has been a fantastic pointer to this contest.

Willie Mullins’ hope gets the 3lb fillies’ allowance which only enhances her chances.

With just three hurdles runs on her CV there is surely a lot more to come.

Nusret looks a major threat after missing the Festival.

He relished the decent conditions when winning the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle at Kempton last time.

He is suited by a speed track and can go close again.

Perseus Way was second in that race before a poor effort at Cheltenham. He may not have liked the big field there and could bounce back.

There was a lot to like about the way Bo Zenith scored at Stratford on the back of a Haydock success.

This is a major hike in grade but he clocked a fast time and deserves to take on this stronger opposition.

Scriptwriter was a good second at Grade 2 level before a poor run in the Adonis.

He needs to bounce back but it’s early days and the yard won this last season.

Greyval enjoyed the mud when winning well at Huntingdon but was a Listed winner in decent conditions at Donny and has solid place claims.

2.55

SHISHKIN can win what promises to be one of the best races of the whole jumps season.

He came back with a vengeance when winning easily at Ascot before he ran a bit moody in the Ryanair at Cheltenham.

After being out the back for a long way he got going in the closing stages to finish second.

He should appreciate this step up in trip at a flat track like Aintree and Nicky Henderson wouldn’t be running him here unless he had come out of the Festival well.

Bravemansgame would have been hard to beat repeating his Gold Cup form but he has been ruled out due to an ownership issue.

I am a big fan of A Plus Tard and Rachael Blackmore said he was going well before being hampered by a faller in the Gold Cup.

We know he has lots of quality as he was one of the most impressive winners of the big race last season.

It’s hard to win a Grade 1 after being pulled up the last twice but, if any horse can do it, he can for Henry De Bromhead.

Conflated can’t be ruled out after his good third in the Gold Cup.

He should have no problem seeing out this trip on a flat track like Aintree and is a player.

We don’t know which Ahoy Senor will turn up. He’s a Grade 1 performer on his day and landed a big novice win here last year.

He was tanking along in front before coming down late at Cheltenham and is the type to bounce back although he will need to bring his very best.

3.30

CONSTITUTION HILL is on another planet to these rivals who he just hammered in the Champion Hurdle.

It’s not often that a superstar lives up to his billing but Nicky Henderson’s ace was breathtaking at Cheltenham when his afterburners kicked in at the bottom of the famous hill.

I can’t believe a horse has ever jumped a hurdle better, he goes on any ground and will have no problem with this longer trip at a speed track like Aintree.

He may go chasing after this so make sure you enjoy this well deserved lap of honour as he’ll surely make it six Grade 1 wins on the spin – all without breaking sweat.

The champ’s stablemate Epatante was so disappointing when eighth in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham but won this by 14 lengths last season and is capable of bouncing back.

She gets the handy 7lb mares’ allowance which can help her get back on an even keel. Some cut in the ground will be ideal.

Zanahiyr was third in the Champion when keeping on well. He was ridden for a place there and it will be a similar story here.

I Like To Move It foolishly tried to take Constitution Hill on up front and paid for it when push came to shove.

Let’s home Team Twiston-Davies have learned their lesson and ride him with more restraint.

That could help him to sneak on to the podium.

Sharjah was a bit unlucky to finish fourth in the helterskelter County Hurdle at the Festival.

The gaps didn’t come but he is a proven Grade 1 performer who is in the hunt for second.

Sceau Royal needs to turn back the clock which looks a tall order.

4.05

LATENIGHTPASS has a fantastic record in this race with a second in 2021 followed by a win 12 months ago.

He has been trained for this and had a quiet prep in a point-to-point last month.

Gina Andrews gets on well with him and he has every chance of scoring again.

Paul Nicholls will have Magic Saint in top order as his daughter Olive takes the ride.

He was impressive at Wincanton and should take well to this challenge.

Famous Clermont was going like the winner in the Cheltenham version of this before running out of steam up the hill.

This shorter distance should be ideal for him and his excellent jumping will be an asset over the spruce fences.

Winged Leader was chinned on the line in last season’s Cheltenham version of this and has been hammering his rivals in the pointing field.

He jumps well and can be guaranteed to run his race.

Drop Flight looks a big price for a top hunter chase trainer. It would be no shock to see him jump round and grab one of the extra places many bookies offer.

Its On The Line was a good second in the Cheltenham race last month and has top rider Derek O’Connor in the saddle again.

He stays well and will be doing his best work at the finish.

Fier Jaguen wins plenty of point-to-points and his owner/trainer won the Cheltenham version of this. He is respected.

4.40

PAY THE PIPER is in good form and followed an easy Musselburgh win with a head-bobbing second to a useful rival at Doncaster last time. He looks on a fair weight and can strike.

Third Time Lucki has run in Grade 1 contests at the past two Aintree Festivals and comes here after a solid fourth in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham.

It’s a slight worry that he likes to come from way back in a race that often favours front-runners but his class can take him close.
Global Citizen is another who ran well in the Grand Annual and is off the same mark today.

Douglas Talking could get his own way out in front and be hard to peg back.

He did just that when winning by 14 lengths at Sandown. This is a hotter contest but the seven-year-old is on the upgrade.

Grey Diamond was impressive when winning at Haydock last month and should be competitive despite a 7lb rise.

Hasankey was a solid second at Warwick two weeks ago and saves his best for this distance. He is a big price to make the frame.
Dancing On My Own hasn’t fired this season but comes from a top team in Blackmore and De Bromhead and was second in this race 12 months ago.

He’s only 3lb higher so should make his presence felt.

Mackenberg wasn’t beaten far at Donny last time despite making errors. He’s back on his last winning mark and can’t be dismissed for Donald McCain.

5.15

GAILLIMH A RUN has improved on her past two runs, winning at Naas and Thurles with a bit left in the tank.

Jamie Codd takes over today and she looks capable of another step forward.

Jolie Coeur Allen makes her debut for Willie Mullins having run well when an unlucky second in France. She has a lot more to offer.
The Irish champion trainer also runs Williamstowndancer who is better than we saw at Navan last time.

July Flower was a Grade 1 winner in France and makes her debut for Henry De Bromhead.

You would expect plenty of improvement and she looks a nice prospect.

Paul Nicholls has a decent chance with Seeyouinmydreams who had 11 lengths in hand when winning at Newbury last time.

You would expect her to take a step forward from that debut effort.

Dysart Enos has done nothing wrong in winning at Market Rasen and Ludlow.

The most recent success was at Listed level so she has plenty of quality.

We haven’t seen Notkeepinyagoing since her convincing debut win at Galway in September. She would have a chance if fully wound up.
Magic Dawn is another to watch on debut for Gordon Elliott after winning last time in good company at Punchestown.