Horse racing tips: Templegate’s 9-1 NAP can blow them away in the Scottish Grand National

TEMPLEGATE tackles a massive Saturday of action confident of finding you some winners.

There’s red hot action from the jumps at Ayr – including our man’s runner-by-runner guide to the Scottish Grand National – and the Flat at Newbury.

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MACDERMOTT (3.35 Ayr, Nap)

He’s part of a strong Willie Mullins team and took a big step forward when stepped up to three miles for a Fairyhouse win last time. He looks a proper marathon runner and looks a fair price compared to earlier in the week.

L’EAU DU SUD (2.25 Ayr, nb)

He was just denied by an Ebor winner in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham and can go one better here. He enjoyed some give in the ground at the Festival and when a close second in the Betfair at Newbury.

A PENNY A HUNDRED (3.00 Ayr, treble)

She acquitted herself well when fourth in a Fairyhouse Grade 1 last time. She should have no problem with this longer trip and likes some cut in the ground. Paul Townend gets back on board today which is another plus.

Templegate’s TV verdicts

NEWBURY

1.30

ARREST reached new heights when second in the St Leger last time and can improve as a four-year-old.

The soft ground will bring his stamina into play and he’s got Group 1 class.

Hamish won all four starts last season and has an excellent record at this level. He’s another who likes some cut and can be relied on to deliver.

Al Qareem chased him home in the St Simon Stakes at Newmarket in November and is best over this distance. He has solid place claims.

Mujtaba has a fitness edge thanks to his run in France last month which should help. He has done all his winning over shorter trips but can’t be dismissed.

Chesspiece has been gelded over the winter and has run well in this grade before.

2.05

RELIEF RALLY won four times as a juvenile last season, finishing with a blistering win in the Lowther at York.

She goes on any ground and cost current connections almost a million quid over the winter. She should improve for this step up in distance and can take another step forward.

Elmalka ran just once last term and caught the eye with a smooth Southwell success. She is bred to be classy and should leave that form way behind here.

Regal Jubilee did all her racing over a mile as a two-year-old and landed a Listed contest at Newmarket in November.

The ground was bottomless there so more of a stamina test may be ideal but she’s clearly talented.

Folgaria is an interesting import from Italy where she was a Group 2 winner in October. She likes soft ground and can’t be ignored.

Star Music hit the frame in the Oh So Sharp at Newmarket in October but will need a bit more here.

2.40

ROOM SERVICE showed a sharp turn of pace to win a big sales race at Doncaster last time out in September.

He wasn’t stopping at the end of the extended six furlongs in tacky ground and should have more to offer as a three-year-old.

Zoum Zoum finished last season with an impressive Listed success over this trip in France. He likes cut in the ground and will be the main threat if building on that.

Ballymount Boy held his own in Group company last season including over this trip at York in August.

He liked soft ground when scoring at Donny in October and is another for the shortlist.

Army Ethos has a run under his belt thanks to a second at Newcastle last month.

That was his first start since his excellent second in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot so he clearly has talent.

Mister Sketch was a good second in the Mill Reef here in September and his yard has made a good start to the campaign.

3.15

NOBLE ORDER made a winning comeback on the sand at Newcastle in February but has smart form on turf too.

He was second at Newmarket as a youngster for Charlie Appleby and looked better than ever when scoring on debut for Archie Watson.

He could be a few steps ahead of the handicapper over a trip that suits.

Raadobarg ran well in the Irish Lincoln at The Curragh last month and likes soft ground. He has plenty of weight but enough ability to make the frame.

Look Back Smiling won a hot handicap over a mile at Doncaster last time. A 4lb rise for that looks fair and he’s another who likes to get his toe in.

He will need some luck coming from the back but is in fine form.

Lattam was a good second in the Lincoln despite missing the break. His best has come over this trip with some give underfoot.

He’s only 4lb higher than his last win and will be competitive again.

Godwinson is an interesting handicap debutant for William Haggas. He won one of his three starts last season, at Hamilton, where the soft ground suited.

His opening mark of 88 looks fair and there should be a lot more to come.

Thunder Ball was far from disgraced in the Lincoln and signed off last season with a Goodwood win. A repeat would give him a say.

AYR

1.15

UNCLE PHIL looks hard to beat after his excellent display of jumping to win at Fairyhouse in January.

He’s best after a break and saves his best for this distance. Some cut in the ground is ideal and he can defy his rising mark.

Sans Bruit took his form to a new level when winning the tough Red Rum Chase at Aintree last weekend.

This is a quick turnaround from 10lb higher but he’ll be able to dominate in this small field and may take some catching.

Traprain Law was impressive when scoring here last time and is another who likes to stride out.

Persian Time rallied to win at Kempton last time but this looks a bit tougher.

1.50

MACLAINE was impressive when winning hard held at Newbury last time.

He was always up with the pace and pulled clear as he liked up the run-in. He takes on stronger opposition here but has more to come.

Montgomery has been hoovering up minor races for Venetia Williams and deserves this hike in grade.

The handicapper hasn’t gone mad with a 6lb rise for his latest Bangor success and he’ll be competitive again.

Sharjah is an interesting entrant for Willie Mullins. He was a high-class hurdler over 2m and hasn’t been beyond 2m4f as a chaser.

If he is still there at the finish he could make his presence felt.

Marble Sands got the job done nicely at Musselburgh on his last chase run in February and is fit from a run on the all-weather. He is another who has to prove his stamina but can’t be ignored.

2.25

L’EAU DU SUD was just denied by an Ebor winner in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham and can go one better here.

He enjoyed some give in the ground at the Festival and when a close second in the Betfair at Newbury. A 3lb rise looks more than fair.

Bialystok didn’t go on the track when down the County field and is likely to get a lot closer here. He was fourth at Grade 1 level before Christmas.

Favour And Fortune wasn’t disgraced in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and likes this trip. He looks on a fair mark and should be thereabouts.

Cracking Rhapsody had four lengths to spare when winning the Morebattle at Kelso and is a bit fresher having missed Cheltenham. He still doesn’t have a big weight and is another with place prospects.

First Street rarely runs a bad race and a fair third when last seen in a Cheltenham Grade 2. He has plenty of weight but could sneak into the places.

Rubaud has a couple of Grade 2 wins on his CV and Harry Cobden could have him out of trouble up front.

3.00

A PENNY A HUNDRED acquitted herself well when fourth in a Fairyhouse Grade 1 last time.

She should have no problem with this longer trip and likes some cut in the ground. Paul Townend gets back on board today which is another plus.

Willie Mullins has another big chance with Saylavee who was a solid second at Punchestown latest.

She looks the type to improve for this longer distance and will enjoy these conditions.

Larchmont Lass is a contender for Paul Nicholls. She was a good fourth in the mares’ final at Newbury last time and shapes as though this step up by half a mile will be fine.

The Skeltons will have high hopes for Coco Mademoiselle who comes here off the back of a Chepstow novice win.

She will have to improve on that but looks on a fair weight and it’s still early days.

Pink In The Park completes the Mullins team with Patrick on board. She has some solid novice form but was well behind the tip when they clashed at Fairyhouse.

3.35

Read my complete guide to the Scottish Grand National and 1-2-3-4 prediction.

Templegate’s tips

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