Templegate’s horse racing tips: Cheltenham and Musselburgh live on ITV – top betting preview for ITV’s racing on New Year’s Day

CELEBRATE the New Year with an Old ‘un at Cheltenham.

OLD GUARD (3.10) returns to his best distance and he will appreciate the decent ground. His trainer Paul Nicholls had a wonderful time over Christmas and that should continue into 2019.

1.25 CHELTENHAM: DEFI DU SEUIL looks up to the Betbright Dipper Chase challenge.

He was as good a juvenile hurdler as we’ve seen for a while a couple of years ago, winning three Grade 1s including the Triumph Hurdle at this track.

Like many of Philip Hobbs’ horses he was out of form last season but he burst back into life in a good race at Exeter last time.

He took a big step forward from his chase debut to see off Topofthegame and Black Op with a neat round of jumping. I fancy him to have too much speed for his rivals.

Black Op chased home Samcro at the Cheltenham Festival before defeating Lostintranslation in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree last season.

He should improve for his chase debut but the drying ground is not ideal.

Conditions are also against Crucial Role, while On The Blind Side is likely to do better over further.

1.40 MUSSELBURGH: Knock twice for the Betway Auld Reekie Chase.

Last year’s winner KNOCKGRAFFON looks to have a great chance of keeping the trophy.

He had Upsilon Bleu back in second 12 months ago and is now a couple of pounds lower in the handicap.

My fancy hasn’t had a run this time but Olly Murphy is more than capable of getting him ready.

Forth Bridge has yet to win over fences. He’s probably too consistent for his own good and would prefer 3m.

NEEDS A SUMMER BREAK Summerville Boy diagnosed with injury following two abject displays

2.00 CHELTENHAM: Arrow into DIVINE SPEAR.

He’s got a fine record when returning from a break so it’s a positive he’s not run since last February.

His first season over fences was cut short when he was turned over at long odds-on at Musselburgh and he’s better judged on his wins at Catterick and Ascot.

There’s plenty of potential in Nicky Henderson’s hope.

Dustin Des Mottes looked sure to appreciate going left-handed when runner-up at Ascot just before Christmas. The ground might be a bit fast but he’s interesting at the foot of the weights.

Aso made a winning return from more than a year off the track at Newbury a month ago. He’ll need a career-best performance off top weight.

Last year’s winner Ballyhill is a bigger threat.

2.15 MUSSELBURGH: Go the whole Hogmaneigh on CHICA BUENA.

He won over hurdles when trained in Ireland and has gone on to complete a four-timer since joining Keith Dalgleish. His Aintree Listed success was incredibly impressive and the weight allowance he gets will make him had to beat.

Irish Roe and Val Mome head the dangers.

2.35 CHELTENHAM: Get the Parti started.

JUGE ET PARTI has shown his best form on decent ground. He won a Bangor bumper by a street on his debut and his comeback second behind Solstice Star at Chepstow was a respectable comeback.

The ground was much softer and the race probably came too soon when he was well beaten behind Vive Le Roi and De Name Evades Me at Newbury last time. I’m expecting much better today.

Venetia Williams has her team in fine form and her Shalakar should run well. He needs to prove his stamina for this trip but there’s every chance he’ll like it.

Jersey Bean has been in great form but he’s been nudged up in the weights again for finishing second at Market Rasen.

3.10 CHELTENHAM: Stay on Guard for the Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle.

OLD GUARD seems to have been around for yonks but he’s only turned eight today and he’s a reliable yardstick.

He might not have managed to get his head in front where it matters this season but seconds behind Verdana Blue and If The Cap Fits is good form.

Giving weight to the likes of Brain Power and Western Ryder over a trip too sharp for him was surely the reason why he was well held in the International Hurdle a couple of weeks ago.

Today’s longer distance is just what he wants.

Last year’s winner Wholestone is the one I fear most.

He was well beaten at Newbury in November but he bounced back from a disappointing effort in that race last season to win this prize.

Thomas Campbell needs further and Clyne is better on softer ground.

Catterick

12.25 Tight Call

1.00 Ballyfarsoon

1.35 Jack Devine

2.10 Foxtrot Juliet

2.45 Ord County

3.20 Midnight Queen

Cheltenham

12.15 Jarveys Plate (treble)

12.50 Some Chaos

1.25 Defi Du Seuil

2.00 Divine Spear

2.35 Juge Et Parti

3.10 Old Guard (nap)

3.50 Cascova

Exeter

12.40 Extra Mag

1.15 Ebony Gale

1.50 Caribert

2.25 Le Boizelo

3.00 White Moon (nb)

3.35 Cap Du Nord

4.05 Rufio

Fakenham

12.45 Blu Cavalier

1.20 Polo The Mumm

1.55 The Very Thing

2.30 Aptly Put

3.05 Moly Carew

3.40 Havana Hermano

Musselburgh

12.30 Al Kherb

1.05 Knock House

1.40 Knockgraffon

2.15 Chica Buena

2.50 Nendrum

3.25 Always Lion

Southwell

12.35 Jungle Secret

1.10 Kommander Kirkup

1.45 Ornate

2.20 The Great Wall

2.55 Tagur

3.30 Alpha Tauri