Horse racing tips: Templegate’s 3-1 NAP can fly home late with the ‘ideal’ jockey in the saddle for a blistering finish
TEMPLEGATE takes on a colossal Saturday of racing confident of banging in a few winners.
The 2000 Guineas (3.35pm) takes centre stage on ITV1 but there’s loads more top class action from Newmarket and beyond on one of the best days of the year.
He’s also put his tips from Punchestown below too, where some Cheltenham Festival stars are back in action.
Back a horse at the best price simply by clicking their odds.
MITBAAHY (2.55 Newmarket, nap)
My best bet likes to come late so will need a little luck but Jamie Spencer is the ideal jockey to get the timing right. He was a good fourth in the Abernant here on comeback and should come on for that run.
THEORYOFEVERYTHING (2.20 Newmarket, nb)
Went close in a hot race here last time and has every chance again. He had to switch at a vital moment which cost him the race and should be right there again.
BREEGE (2.05 Goodwood, treble)
My selection went close in a Group 3 over course and distance last season when the ground was equally testing as today’s. She was unlucky not to get her head in front a couple of times last season including in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot again in Listed company at the King’s course in October. There’s nothing wrong with her bottle and she can strike here.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
NEWMARKET
1.10
STAR GUEST improved with every run last season, finishing off with back-to-back wins on the July course here.
It’s a slight worry that we didn’t see him after July but this trip suits and he should make a nice four-year-old.
Funny Story finished last season with a Listed win over course and distance. That means she has to give weight away today but there could well be more to come.
Dorothy Lawrence has had a run in France and showed lots of zip when placed in Group company last season. She stays and can improve.
Azure Angel has some decent form on the sand and would be a player if translating that to turf while Unequal Love is another with more to come.
1.45
SUMMERGHAND can win this battle of the golden oldies after looking as good as ever when unlucky on comeback here last time.
He tried to pick his way through almost the whole field before going down by just a length. A repeat would take him very close.
Similar comments apply to Chairmanoftheboard who found the line coming a few yards too soon at Newbury last time. He likes this trip and is dangerous off this mark.
Ryan Moore takes over on Mums Tipple who was a close second at Kempton and is 5lb lower today.
Another veteran, Aberama Gold, was third in that Summerghand race and is shortlisted.
2.20
THEORYOFEVERYTHING and Dutch Decoy are closely matched on their good placed efforts in a hot race here last time and have every chance again.
The former just gets the nod because he had to switch at a vital moment which cost him the race.
Dutch Decoy didn’t get the best of runs either and they are both back from the same mark.
Bopedro was less than two lengths away in that race too and isn’t ignored. Hafeet Alain won that race but got all the breaks and has a penalty here.
Torito looked progressive last season and would be up to this level if ready to go after 317 days off.
Westerton showed some promise last season and trainer Alan King is in decent form.
2.55
MITBAAHY likes to come late so will need a little luck but Jamie Spencer is the ideal jockey to get the timing right.
He was a good fourth in the Abernant here on comeback and should come on for that run.
Twilight Calls held his own at Group 1 level last season and has winning form over trip and track.
He hasn’t won for more than two years but his quality can take him a long way.
Vadream won this race 12 months ago and came back with a solid third at Bath 15 days ago. Some rain would be ideal but he won’t be far away.
Beautiful Diamond finished last season with a smooth Listed win at York. She gets weight as a fill and should have a good season.
3.35
WHEN Aidan O’Brien sends over just one horse for a Classic, you know he means business and CITY OF TROY has been receiving glowing report on his gallops at Ballydoyle.
He has looked a potential superstar on the track too with his Group 1 Dewhurst win here in October one of the easiest you’ll ever see.
He keeps things simple out in front and ‘The Lads’ believe they have a live Triple Crown contender on their hands. We’ll find out here.
The horse who chased him home in the Dewhurst – Alyanaabi – looks a big price to pull off the same feat again.
He took the Group 3 Tattersall Stakes here in September on decent ground and is bred to see out this distance. It would be no surprise to see him make the frame.
Ghostwriter looked smart when winning the Royal Lodge over this course and distance last Autumn.
He really tanked along there and the reports from trainer Clive Cox have been good. He has strong each-way credentials.
Richard Hannon thinks the world of Rosallion who landed Group 1 honours in France when last seen in October.
He didn’t get the run of the race so it was all the more impressive. He should improve for this step up in trip.
Notable Speech hasn’t had a lot to beat in three wins on the all-weather but picked up sharply at Kempton and deserves his place.
GOODWOOD
2.05
BREEGE went close in a Group 3 over course and distance last season when the ground was equally testing as today’s.
She was unlucky not to get her head in front a couple of times last season including in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot again in Listed company at the King’s course in October.
There’s nothing wrong with her bottle and she can strike here.
Orchid Bloom finished last season with a good Listed second on bottomless ground in France. That was over this mile and she looks a threat for William Haggas.
Novus stays further than this which could be a real asset in the conditions. He won a good handicap here last season and looked in need of the run at Newmarket last month.
Choisya was beaten just a neck in this company on the all-weather at Kempton last time. She has form around here too and is another to note in a really tight race.
THIRSK
2.40
NORTHERN EXPRESS won this last year before going on to run big races in stronger company with cut in the ground.
He’s 1lb lower than his close second in a hot handicap at York in October and he warmed up with a good fifth at Newmarket last month.
Quest For Fun caught the eye on comeback at Musselburgh when looking like the winner until the lack of a recent run told in the final furlong.
He’ll improve for that and has scored here before.
Hiromichi clocked a personal best when winning at Ripon last week. A 4lb rise looks fair and he’s proven over this trip with some cut in the ground.
Thunder Rock has been knocking on the door and was just denied at Leicester last time. More rain would help and he likes it really soft.
Pisanello has dropped to his last winning handicap mark and is best over this trip on soft.
He gets on well with rider Mark Winn who takes off a valuable 3lb which could make the difference.
PUNCHESTOWN
3.42
WE have seen plenty of Cheltenham form turned around this week but surely LOSSIEMOUTH will follow her mares’ hurdle success with victory in the Annie Power.
She followed her Triumph Hurdle success with a win at this meeting 12 months ago and she couldn’t have been any more impressive at Prestbury Park last time.
She’s had a nice break and this better ground holds no fears.
Telmesomethinggirl followed her up the hill last time and looks the most likely for the forecast spot again given her liking for this longer trip.
Other Willie Mullins hopes Ashroe Diamond and Gala Marceau both have Grade 1 wins on their CV and can battle it out for third with Hispanic Moon looking to better her Cheltenham third.
4.15
CRUZ CONTROL won very nicely at Aintree last time and will be competitive again in what looks a pretty hot handicap.
He was brilliant from the front at Liverpool when jumping well and seeing out 3m1f with something in the tank.
Better Times Ahead was second to Macdermott at Fairyhouse last time and was impressive in the Scottish National last time.
Robert Tyrer’s hope looks to be on a fair mark and should have no issues seeing out this distance. He has an each-way shout.
Paul Townend has picked Glengouly of the Willie Mullins entry and he was a 100-1 shot for the Grand National at Aintree where he unseated four out. He’ll stay but needs to raise his game.
A better chance for the yard may be Scottish National sixth Spanish Harlem who can make the odd mistake but stays all day.
4.50
KARGESE has run two mighty races when second at both Cheltenham and Aintree but has one last big run in her this season.
She was second in the Triumph Hurdle before coming off second best against Sir Gino at Aintree which is definitely no disgrace.
She got a Grade 1 win on the board at Leopardstown in February and, while it’s been a long season, her class can get her over the line.
Bottler’Secret was a winner on the Flat and has taken both his hurdles races in the manner of a quality hurdler.
He was particularly impressive at Fairyhouse last time and has a lot more to come.
5.25
IT’S interesting that Gavin Cromwell is throwing VISIONARIAN into this hot handicap on his first run for the yard having left Peter Fahey.
Cromwell is a past master at winning with newcomers and this nine-year-old is a stone lower than the mark of his fifth in last year’s Galway Plate over fences.
That has to make him competitive over a trip that is sure to suit.
Olympic Man looks progressive and was a close second on handicap debut at Fairyhouse last time. This drop back in distance won’t do him any harm.
Lucky Zero had a fair bit up his sleeve when scoring at Cork a month ago and a 6lb rise in the weights gives him every chance under Rachael Blackmore.
Templegate’s tips
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