Horse racing tips: Templegate NAPS monster 12-1 runner to relish the National fences on day two at Aintree

TEMPLEGATE tackles Friday’s action at Aintree on Grand National Eve confident of finding you some winners.

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

1

AL DANCER (4.05 Aintree, nap)

He loved these National fences when winning the Grand Sefton over course and distance last time out. He jumped well there and trainer Sam Thomas has given him a break since. That’s a wise move as the 10-year-old is best when fresh and he has the benefit of Charlie Deutsch in the saddle who has a strong record in chases.

FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES (3.30 Aintree, nb)

He has won the past two runnings of this race and can land the hat-trick. He wasn’t at his best behind Shishkin at Ascot last time but had earlier taken a Thurles Grade 2 without breaking sweat. He loves this track and can show his best form.

GERRI COLOMBE (1.45 Aintree, treble)

He was in front inches past the post when second in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival. He powered up the hill and Davy Russell takes the ride today and is sure to have him a bit closer to the pace. He won two Grade 1s at Limerick and Sandown earlier this season and has more to come.

Templegate’s complete guide to every race

1.45

GERRI COLOMBE was in front inches past the post when second in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival.

He powered up the hill and Davy Russell takes the ride today and is sure to have him a bit closer to the pace.

He won two Grade 1s at Limerick and Sandown earlier this season and has more to come.

Bronn may be better suited by Aintree after a good third in that Brown Advisory.

He ran out of puff in the closing stages and this flatter track could bring improvement from the Willie Mullins runner.

He certainly travelled like a Grade 1 performer and has relatively few miles on the clock.

Galia Des Liteaux finished a way behind the other two last time and needs to raise his game to turn that form around for the Skeltons.

Complete Unknown likes it soft and would have place prospects if the rain keeps coming.

He was impressive when winning a Kempton handicap last month and should have no issues staying this trip.

Thomas Darby is a Grade 2 winner over hurdles and returned to chasing with a win at Ayr in February.

That was a much easier race than this and he’s likely to be outclassed.

Sholokjack was poor in a modest contest at Kelso and needs much more in this company.

2.20

CAMPROND should really have won the Coral Cup at Cheltenham last time but was collared on the run-in after an iffy jump at the last.
Aidan Coleman probably had him in front too soon as well. He has run well at this meeting before and still looks on a fair weight with soft ground holding no fears.

Playful Saint is lightly raced for his age and improved when third in the red-hot Imperial Cup at Sandown last month.

He runs off the same mark here and will be a major threat if seeing out this extra half-mile. He shapes as though he will.

Captain Conby didn’t get up the hill at Cheltenham after looking like he’d go close in the Coral Cup.

This speed track should suit him a lot better.

Harbour Lake is only 2lb higher than his last win and he’s another who will enjoy Aintree’s flat track.

No Ordinary Joe was a good second in the Martin Pipe at the Festival when nailed near the line.

A 4lb rise for that gives the Nicky Henderson runner a chance.

Benson never went a yard at Cheltenham but was a blistering winner at Kelso and Musselburgh before that and could bounce back enough to hit the frame.

Buddy One has been knocking on the door and went for home too far out when a still good third in the Martin Pipe.

He’d have every chance if his young rider times his challenge better. Jungle Jack also has claims.

2.55

INTHEPOCKET finished like a rocket when fourth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last time.

He wasn’t helped by being hampered when making his challenge. The fast pace here will really suit and there’s more to come.

Luccia was slightly disappointing at Cheltenham but Nicky Henderson says she had a troubled preparation and will show her true colours here.

She was still fourth at the Festival so doesn’t have a mountain to climb.

Found A Fifty was chinned on the line for a Naas Grade 2 in February and is fresher than many of his rivals having swerved Cheltenham.

That was just his second hurdles run so there’s more to come.

Hullnback was second in a hot bumper here last year and clocked a personal best over hurdles when winning at Warwick latest.

He deserves to try this stronger grade and isn’t without a chance.

Altobelli is another having his sights raised after a 25-length victory at Carlisle.

This is clearly much tougher but trainer Harry Fry thinks he has a star on his hands.

Tahmuras didn’t get going in the Supreme but was flying earlier and can’t be written off given he has the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle on his CV.

3.30

FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES has won the past two runnings of this race and can land the hat-trick.

He wasn’t at his best behind Shishkin at Ascot last time but had earlier taken a Thurles Grade 2 without breaking sweat.

He loves this track and can show his best form.

It doesn’t matter what the ground does and he handles decent but goes in the mud too.

Paul Nicholls has a couple of real chances.

Pic D’Orhy is another who saw the back of Shishkin last time but had earlier landed back-to-back Grade 2s over this trip.

He could be pestered up front by Minella Drama but has enough class if they don’t go too quick early on.

Hitman also comes from the champion trainer and was a solid second in this race 12 months ago.

He has since gone close in a hot handicap here and is another who enjoys the Mildmay course. He was beaten just three lengths in the Ryanair at the Festival so is in excellent form.

French Dynamite was fourth in the Ryanair which was a decent effort.

He looks short of Grade 1 class but deserves another crack at this level.

Fugitif ran really well when second in the Festival Plate last time. He is another who needs to improve in this stronger company.

4.05

AL DANCER loved these National fences when winning the Grand Sefton over course and distance last time out.

He jumped well there and trainer Sam Thomas has given him a break since.

That’s a wise move as the 10-year-old is best when fresh and he has the benefit of Charlie Deutsch in the saddle who has a strong record in chases.

Ashtown Lad is another who has been laid out for this after winning the Becher Chase before Christmas.

He has warmed up with a couple of spins over hurdles and still looks on a fair handicap mark. He can go close again.

Gesskille was second in both the Becher and Grand Sefton so is well suited to this challenge.

He is likely to find one too good again but has every chance of making the frame.

Batcio was second in this 12 months ago and has been trained with today in mind ever since by Ted Walsh.

He didn’t run again until last month when he looked rusty before unseating his rider.

That will bring him on fitness wise and he can run another big race.

You can make a case for most of the field with top weight Haut En Couleurs coming here on the back of a solid run in the Festival Plate.

He has a lot of weight but it would be no surprise to see him in the placings.

Il Ridoto has done well this season and put in another decent effort when sixth at Cheltenham.

He’s a really good jumper and this flat track will help him get home.

Burrows Saint was third in the National at his best and can jump round again, while Final Orders ran well enough in the Grand Annual.

4.40

ABSOLUTE NOTIONS swerved Cheltenham after his close second in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in February.

That was a smart effort and the winner went on to run well at the Festival.

He is bred to relish this longer distance and has a lot more to come after just three hurdles runs.

Stay Away Fay landed a blow for Britain when winning the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.

He was right up with the pace throughout the race and kept finding more up the hill.

Aintree may not suit him quite so much but that was a quality performance and Paul Nicholls’ hope is respected.

Iroko looked to have plenty in the tank when winning the Martin Pipe last time.

That was only a handicap but he scored like a Graded performer and should appreciate this longer distance.

Grey Dawning had five lengths in hand when winning a Warwick Grade 2 in January and went close on his last visit here.

He’s had a nice break and is open to improvement.

Local hero Donald McCain will hope for a big run from Maximilian.

He got the better of Stay Away Fay in the Grade 2 River Don at Doncaster and this track should suit.

He has lots of staying power and should be capable of better.

Apple Away is the only mare in the race and she could make her 7lb allowance count.

She hasn’t seen another horse in winning decent races at Doncaster and Ayr.

Lucinda Russell’s challenger will be dangerous if getting her own way out in front.

Saint Davy cost a few quid and can build on his minor win at Chepstow at Christmas.

5.15

KNICKERBOCKERGLORY ran a belter when second in the tough Imperial Cup at Sandown last month.

He was sent into the lead a little too early and just struggled to hold on up the hill.

This flatter track will suit and he’s effectively 4lb lower thanks to his rider’s claim.

Trainer Dan Skelton is a past master at landing handicaps like this.

Soul Icon and clocked a personal best when winning at Cheltenham in October.

It’s a slight worry he hasn’t run since then but he’s gone well after a break before and is best at this distance.

He stays out of trouble up front and could be ahead of the handicapper even after a 10lb rise.

Parramount has taken his last two contests by a total of 34 lengths. He faces stiffer opposition now.

Go Dante had plenty left when winning at Wetherby and the booking of Jamie Codd takes the eye.

He has gone up 5lb but that shouldn’t put the brakes on.

JPR One came back from a year off with a smooth win at Taunton. He should improve.

Templegate’s tips

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