Horse racing tips: ‘He relishes this marathon trip’ – Templegate’s HUGE 14-1 NAP in the Uttoxeter Grand National
TEMPLEGATE tackles Saturday’s racing confident of banging in some winners – even if it was a rough Cheltenham for punters.
Read on for our man’s top picks and back a horse by clicking their odds below.
VAL DANCER (3.00 Uttoxeter, nap)
Showed his liking for a marathon when winning the Welsh National before running another good race at Haydock last time. He’s a fair 6lb higher than Chepstow and acts well on decent ground.
JOYEUX MACHIN (2.25 Uttoxeter, nb)
Has been working up to a big win with good placed efforts at Wetherby and Ascot last time. He shapes as though this longer trip will be ideal and he’s on a fair handicap mark.
ASTON MARTINI (2.45 Kempton, treble)
Was second in a hot contest at Ascot last time and should be right there again. She travelled nicely and wasn’t stopping at the end of 2m3f so should have no issue with this slightly longer trip. Nico De Boinville gets back on board and the first-time cheekpieces may just give her a little lift too.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
KEMPTON
2.10
ASTA LA PASTA was ahead of First Street here on Boxing Day and the form of that race has been franked.
He has a tendency to pull in his races and hopefully this drop in trip combined with a shorter trip will help him settle. He has more wins to come if he does.
First Street looks a danger again but his losing run is approaching the three-year mark now.
Teddy Blue had plenty left in the tank when winning at Huntingdon 23 days ago when going from the front.
Similar tactics often work around this speed track and a 6lb rise in the weights looks fair.
Paddy In The Caddy showed good fighting spirit to hold on at Wincanton latest.
He has his sights raised slightly here but he’s clearly improving and won’t be far away.
Moveit Like Minnie has run out on his past two chase runs and is best watched for now.
2.45
ASTON MARTINI was second in a hot contest at Ascot last time and should be right there again.
She travelled nicely and wasn’t stopping at the end of 2m3f so should have no issue with this slightly longer trip.
Nico De Boinville gets back on board and the first-time cheekpieces may just give her a little lift too.
She’s definitely capable of winning off this mark. Saint Anapolino brought up the hat-trick over course and distance three Saturdays ago.
A 7lb hike in the weights on this rise in class gives him more to do but there’s every chance he’ll improve and he’s the danger.
Irish Hill got the better of a real battle to score over this trip at Warwick last time.
That was in this grade and that fighting spirit can see him on the podium again.
Classic King was a fair five lengths off the pace in good company at Ascot four weeks ago.
The handicapper has left his mark alone and he’ll be dangerous if seeing out this slightly longer trip.
Double Powerful has been given a little break since his second at Ascot in December.
He’s up 6lb for that so will need a bit more but it’s early days and he could well progress.
West Balboa has never fulfilled her potential but wasn’t disgraced in Listed company at Warwick last time.
3.20
BAD had been living up to his name but got his act together in emphatic style when winning by 10 lengths over this course and distance last month.
He can’t be 100 per cent relied on to repeat that but this looks a very similar race so there will be no excuses.
Flegmatik will find this a lot easier than the Grade 1 Ascot Chase he contested last time.
He was second in this race last year and is much lower in the weights now so should be right there.
Outlaw Peter is the defending champion and he made his seasonal comeback when ninth in the Grand Sefton over the National fences in November.
He’ll be much happier with this challenge and should be right in the mix despite an 8lb rise.
Bourbali was 10 lengths behind Bad last time and needs more.
UTTOXETER
1.50
HIDDEN HISTORY can keep up the Skeltons’ excellent record in this race.
He makes his debut for the yard here after a decent run at Fontwell on Boxing Day. He’s on a fair mark with more to come.
Jilaijone was fourth in good company at Ascot 28 days ago and has winning form over this trip and won on his last visit here.
He’s 10lb higher now but should be in the mix.
Below The Radar has not fired since going handicapping but that mean’s he is down the weights is another who has won over this trip and track.
Wellington Arch has won two of his past three and did the job nicely at Market Rasen last time.
He hasn’t been clobbered for this handicap debut with more to come.
2.25
JOYEUX MACHIN has been working up to a big win with good placed efforts at Wetherby and Ascot last time.
He shapes as though this longer trip will be ideal and he’s on a fair handicap mark.
Red Dirt Road had eight lengths in hand when scooting in at Sandown last month.
He will meet quicker ground here but should be right there despite a 9lb rise.
Guard Duty has been progressing over 2m4f and is another who should find more for this longer trip. He has run well here a couple of times too.
Blaze The Way looks dangerous after staying on well over shorter at Navan.
An 8lb rise keeps him in the running along with Red Risk who went close latest.
3.00
VAL DANCER showed his liking for a marathon when winning the Welsh National before running another good race at Haydock last time.
He’s a fair 6lb higher than Chepstow and acts well on decent ground.
Mr Vango is going from strength to strength and is a danger despite his hefty weight.
Knockanore has a 10lb higher mark than his victory in the 4m1f Eider at Newcastle last time and he’ll be competitive too.
Apple Away was a goof second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock last time and this greater test of stamina should be ideal.
Tanganyika is going well over and shapes as though this trip will suit with Fortunedefortunata another on the shortlist.
3.35
WALK ON QUEST has won all four chase starts and showed plenty of stamina when scoring at Kelso last time.
He jumps well and trainer Lucinda Russell is in excellent form. A 4lb rise in the weights gives him every chance of a five-timer.
Eyed saw out this distance when scoring at Kempton last month. He is a good jumper with a decent engine who will be right there again.
Deafening Silence raised a cheer when beating two rivals to strike at Windsor three weekends ago.
He looks a real stayer and he’s proven in this grade so won’t be far away.
Templegate’s tips
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