THE jumps are back – and, like it or not, already mention of the 'C word' is back.
Yes, it's inescapable that so much of what happens in National Hunt now does so with Cheltenham Festival in mind.
And how can it not?
It's the time we see the Irish and Brit big guns going head-to-head in front of the biggest crowds all year.
On top of that, there is no betting market quite like the Cheltenham ante-post.
Ask some people and they'll say, even now when we're six months away, that you've missed some of the value.
With that in mind, Templegate is changing focus from the flat to the obstacles.
He will bring you a horse to add to your tracker list every week and, when he thinks right, suggest an ante-post bet for the Festival.
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There will be highs and lows along the way – it's all part of the game.
But maybe, just maybe, we'll be celebrating with a long-range fancy come March.
So, without further ado, here are the first two horses our top tipster has pinpointed to keep on side.
Templegate says…
The British jumps season proper kicked off at Chepstow last weekend and there were already some clues for the big battles at Cheltenham next March.
The Brits are desperate for some flag-bearers given that Ireland have bagged 41 winners from 56 races at the past two Festivals.
There is some hope for Paul Nicholls after KNAPPERS HILL took his form to new levels when winning the Silver Trophy at Chepstow.
He's only six so is still learning the game and travelled really strongly before getting up the rail to win with something in hand.
This was an important success as he stepped up from 2m to win strongly and was value for a good deal more than the official margin of just over two lengths.
He looks well up to Graded level after this and looks a natural hurdler so he's not one being prepared for a novice chase campaign.
Whether he ends up at the Festival or not, there are more good races to be won with him.
One horse that definitely has Cheltenham on the agenda is CHAMP KIELY who sauntered to Grade 3 success at Tipperary earlier this month.
The Willie Mullins runner didn't have to get remotely serious to land the spoils over 2m on good ground.
It was just his second run over timber and he looks a leading contender for the Royal Bond Hurdle at Fairyhouse next month.
Mullins himself admitted he was surprised how easily he won and has moved him up the novice hurdling pecking order at Closutton.
That in itself speaks volumes when you think he has the likes of Facile Vega in his ranks.
He's 14-1 for the Ballymore and 20s for the Supreme, while Sky Bet have him at 11-2 to win any race at the Festival which underlines his potential.
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