TEMPLEGATE tackles a blockbuster day one of the Aintree Grand National Festival confident of smashing in some winners.
The big race comes in a sizzling Aintree Hurdle head-to-head between Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth at 3pm.
That's the last of four brilliant back-to-back Grade 1s to kick off what should be a magical three days on Merseyside.
Back any horse you fancy simply by clicking their odds below.
GREY DAWNING (2.55 Aintree, nap)
He has been aimed at this race for a long time and the Skelton plan can come together – although the scheme was almost derailed by running in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November ground that was barely raceable. He looked to have seen off king mudlark Royale Pagaille only to completely and understandably empty on the run-in. He was clearly feeling the effects of that when out with the washing in the King George where he failed to get round. He was wisely given a break until heading to Kelso for an impressive Listed win last month ahead of Iroko who ran an excellent Grand National trial. He is a brilliant jumper who should get into a nice rhythm at a track where that’s a real asset.
CROKE PARK (1.45 Aintree, nb)
He missed Cheltenham and trainer Gordon Elliott can reap the rewards by winning this nice prize. He has already tasted success twice at Grade 1 level this season and gave Ballyburn a good race the last time they met at the Dublin Racing Festival. He likes decent ground and has more to come.
LIFETIME AMBITION (4.05 Aintree, treble)
He has his first crack at the National fences since his rider was knocked out of the saddle by a loose horse in the 2023 Grand National. He jumped beautifully until that slice of bad luck. His last run under Rules was a fine second in the Punchestown Champion Hunter last year but he’s won his past two point-to-points easily. It’s almost unfair calling rider Rob James an amateur because he’s a class act in the saddle and the perfect man to steer him round.
Templegate's verdicts
1.45
CROKE PARK missed Cheltenham and trainer Gordon Elliott can reap the rewards by winning this nice prize.
He has already tasted success twice at Grade 1 level this season and gave Ballyburn a good race the last time they met at the Dublin Racing Festival.
He likes decent ground and has more to come.
Jango Baie loved the Cheltenham hill to come with a late rattle to nick the Arkle.
He will enjoy this step up in distance and has a bright future. He should be fine with these conditions and the only worry is that hard race he had 23 days ago.
But we know Nicky Henderson wouldn’t run him if there were worries on that score.
Impaire Et Passe took the Aintree Hurdle at this meeting 12 months ago and will enjoy getting back here.
He took Grade 1 honours over fences at Limerick at Christmas before finishing behind the tip last time when he was on and off the bridle.
The first-time cheekpieces may help on that score.
Gidleigh Park gave Caldwell Potter a four-length beating at Windsor last time out in January and he franked that form by winning at Cheltenham.
This trip suits and he’s right in the hunt.
Rubaud kept on well to take a Kempton Grade 2 latest but will need much more in this company although the flat track will suit.
2.20
PUTURHANDSTOGETHER destroyed a competitive field when winning the Fred Winter at the Festival and looks a Grade 1 horse in the making.
That was just his fourth spin over hurdles and he tanked along so this speed track should hold no fears.
Naturally Nimble comes here fresh after a solid fourth at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
It’s very early days for him too and he’s shown enough promise to figure.
Filibustering caught the eye with his excellent hurdling when scooting in on debut at Kelso last month. This is much tougher but he’s an exciting prospect.
Live Conti scored on debut in France and struck at the first time of asking for Sir Alex Ferguson and Co at Wetherby in February.
He didn’t come off the bridle there and could be anything.
Murcia won a Listed contest at Auteuil but was only eighth in the Fred Winter.
That was just her third run for Willie Mullins so there should be more to come.
Willy De Houelle has yet to live up to his reputation and he was held in the Triumph Hurdle last time. He’s surely better than we’ve seen so far.
2.55
GREY DAWNING has been aimed at this race for a long time and the Skelton plan can come together.
Although the scheme was almost derailed by running in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November ground that was barely raceable.
He looked to have seen off king mudlark Royale Pagaille only to completely and understandably empty on the run-in.
He was clearly feeling the effects of that when out with the washing in the King George where he failed to get round.
He was wisely given a break until heading to Kelso for an impressive Listed win last month ahead of Iroko who ran an excellent Grand National trial.
He is a brilliant jumper who should get into a nice rhythm at a track where that’s a real asset.
The Gold Cup was quickly shelved with this race in mind and he looks hard to beat.
Spillane’s Tower bypassed Cheltenham after a solid fifth in the King George where he made a couple of costly errors.
His second to Ryanair winner Fact To File at Punchestown in November looks solid form and he’ll go close if jumping better.
Ahoy Senor has been poor this season but that doesn’t matter as he loves it here with a couple of Grade 1s to his name.
It’s hard to trust him but it wouldn’t be a shock if he went close.
Gaelic Warrior has gone backwards a little and stepping up from two miles needs to rekindle his spark.
Stage Star was a good second in the Cotswold at Cheltenham but this is tougher.
3.30
CONSTITUTION HILL can bounce back from the first blip of his career after falling in the Champion Hurdle.
I thought he was a little unlucky to come down as the horse in front rapped the flight which meant it was at an awkward angle when he jumped it.
Nicky Henderson’s pride and joy has always been a low and slick jumper so it was likely to happen one day.
He won this race in 2023 after taking the Champion and the decent ground will help with any minor worries about this stamina for this trip.
He will have to be close to his best to see off Lossiemouth who gets a 7lb mares’ allowance and looked better than ever when winning at Cheltenham last time.
She would have gone very close in the Champion had she taken that route.
Decent ground suits and it should be a cracking battle.
There was less than three lengths between them in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
Woodhoh moved trainer Gordon Elliott to tears when winning the Martin Pipe at the Festival last time to break his duck for the week.
She’s a really nice mare who deserves her crack at this stronger company but she’ll need a major step forward to come out on top.
The others should be any price you like as their form looks short of this standard unless something strange happens.
4.05
LIFETIME AMBITION has his first crack at the National fences since his rider was knocked out of the saddle by a loose horse in the 2023 Grand National.
He jumped beautifully until that slice of bad luck. His last run under Rules was a fine second in the Punchestown Champion Hunter last year but he’s won his past two point-to-points easily.
It’s almost unfair calling rider Rob James an amateur because he’s a class act in the saddle and the perfect man to steer him round.
Famous Clermont won this in 2023 and is another who has been going well in the pointing field.
We know this challenge is ideal and he won’t be a mile away.
My Drogo is a threat at this level and had plenty in hand when winning at Haydock in February.
He is a good jumper and decent ground is right up his street.
Willitgoahead was a cracking third in the Cheltenham version of this race last month.
This is over a shorter trip but he travels strongly so shouldn’t get too far behind.
David Maxwell deserves to get a good spin on Joker De Mai. He won by half a furlong at Leicester last time and has few miles on the clock so there should be more to come.
Patrick Mullins rides Annamix for his dad Willie. They were third last year and could make the frame again at the age of 12.
4.40
PETIT TONNERRE had rotten luck at Doncaster last time when brought down.
His January visit to Town Moor was more fruitful as he won a decent contest with a bit left in the tank.
His last visit to Aintree saw him finish an excellent second in good company and he’s clearly improved since then. He is potentially well ahead of the handicapper.
Last year’s winner Sans Bruit has had a quiet season but that means he’s back from his winning mark and a return to this track could pay dividends.
My Mate Mozzie didn’t get up the hill in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham but travelled well for most of the way and this track may suit better.
Calico is an honest performer at this level and he’s only 2lb higher than his Cheltenham win in October.
This speed test should suit and good ground is ideal.
The Folkes Tiara has to be on the shortlist too. He went down in a head-bobber at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and has been saved for this since.
Henry De Bromhead continues in good form and he won’t be far away.
Primoz never recovered from a bad start at Cheltenham latest and could bounce back, while Galunggung isn’t without an each-way chance for local trainer Donald McCain after a game Carlisle win.
5.15
JACKIE HOBBS looked high-class when winning easily at Ascot last time and she looks ideal for this contest.
That was just her second run so there should be a lot more to come.
Connections of Seo Linn have kept her fresh with this race in mind after an impressive Listed win at Cheltenham in November.
She didn’t come off the bridle there and clearly has lots of ability. She is Flat bred so speedy Aintree should suit her even more than Prestbury Park.
Charisma Cat took a nice contest at Sandown 26 days ago and trainer Alan King has won this before. She likes decent ground and showed good pace.
Kingston Queen finished a neck ahead of her when they met at Market Rasen in January and she’s another coming here nice and fresh.
Ben Pauling won this last year and has another big shout with Betty’s Daisy who didn’t break sweat when scoring on debut at Warwick.
Templegate's tips
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