TEMPLEGATE is back with his pick of the latest eyecatchers – as well as singling one out for Cheltenham Festival.
The bookies are yet to go non-runner, money back yet so you can still get some very decent value.
Dan Skelton looks to have one for the closing race of Cheltenham at a belting priceCredit: PA
A PAI DE NOM — Martin Pipe Hurdle
IT’S just eight weeks until the Cheltenham Festival where British yards seem to have their strongest hand for a while.
Some optimists are even backing the home team to win the Prestbury Cup for the first time since 2015.
Mind you, Ireland are still 1-7 to win it — but they were 1-12.
One of the reasons is the clobbering Irish horses get in the handicaps, with their marks raised when they come to Cheltenham.
✅ First strike @DSkeltonRacing
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 14, 2025
A Pai De Nom lands the November Meeting opener in attritional conditions at @CheltenhamRaces .
Relatively clean silks passing the line for Tristan Durrell! pic.twitter.com/djhVy78aYl
That could give the Brits an edge and A PAI DE NOM is one home hurdler I’ve had a little nibble on.
He’s 33-1 for the Martin Pipe after his excellent third in the Lanzarote at Kempton on Saturday.
He’s won twice already under Dan Skelton’s apprentice Tristan Durrell, including in a big field at Cheltenham in November.
He should get into the race and looks solid each-way.
Templegate’s eyecatchers
BRIGHT LEGEND (Taunton, Jan 8)
THIS six-year-old needs testing ground to show his best so this was a promising effort in quicker conditions where he was third behind a couple of decent novices.
It was just his second run for Faye Bramley and he’ll be interesting around 2m4f on soft.
FRANK STAMPER (Kempton, Jan 10)
WARREN Greatrex should be able to find a race for this four-year-old who showed promise when fourth on his second hurdles run.
He still looked green and James Bowen never got too serious.
Two miles on decent ground suits and he is capable of a fair bit better.
IKE SPORT (Kempton, Jan 10)
FINISHING sixth in the Lanzarote was his best effort for a while and his handicap mark means he can run in much softer contests that this.
He might have finished fourth but for hitting the last and can end his losing run soon.
KING WILLIAM RUFUS (Kempton, Jan 10)
THIS was easily his best run since winning a hot contest at Cheltenham in April with the better ground suits.
He should be around the mark of that win after this and can strike again over two miles on a decent surface for trainer Chris Gordon.
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Eze Chidiebere Paul
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