Horse racing tips: ‘She’s very progressive with huge potential’ – Templegate’s 7-2 NAP can blow this field apart
TEMPLEGATE tackles a busy Saturday of racing confident of banging in a few winners.
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SIOG GEAL (3.15 Newbury, nap)
She showed plenty in bumpers before striking on her hurdles debut at Catterick at Christmas. She has built on that twice in stronger company since and was a good second at Market Rasen last time. There’s more to come, especially over this longer distance.
I AM MAX (2.25 Kelso, nb)
He was a close second in good company at Haydock last time and is right at home over this distance. He looks on a fair mark for local trainer Sandy Thomson and can take another step forward.
GOLD DES BOIS (3.35 Kelso, treble)
He loves his trips to the Scottish borders and was a game winner on his last visit in November. He takes a drop in class here and will be happy to get back over his ideal course and distance.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
NEWBURY
2.05
CALIMYSTIC looks the answer to this tricky contest.
He’s had just two spins over hurdles and his latest saw him score by an easy seven lengths at Doncaster.
Despite that, his opening handicap mark looks more than fair and he is proven over this trip.
There’s more to come from Nicky Henderson’s hope.
Old Cowboy had 20 lengths to spare when romping home at Plumpton 12 days ago.
The Moores have been firing in the winners and he looks a threat on handicap debut.
Norn Iron stayed on well over two miles when fourth at Donny three Saturdays ago.
Moving up in trip should bring improvement and trainer Harry Derham is going well.
Alexei came up a little short in Listed company at Exeter on the back of two smooth Taunton victories.
Top weight gives him a bit to do but he’s another who will be suited by going up in distance.
Glynn Brae has won his past two easily at Fontwell and is another with a say despite plenty of weight in the saddle.
Beau Quali and Jackpot Des Bordes are from top yards and have each-way prospects in this wide-open race.
2.40
SAINT SEGAL has looked a different horse since front-running.
He scored here three runs ago and was a cracking third in the Greatwood Gold Cup over C&D last time.
That’s a hotter contest than this so a repeat would see him go very close.
Big Bob Ricard did well to score at Donny 20 days ago after trying to take the third-last with him.
A 2lb rise gives him every chance with the longer trip likely to suit.
Riskintheground showed positive signs when fourth at Huntingdon last time and has come down the weights.
His best form would give him every chance for the Skeltons.
Scarface didn’t fire in the Greatwood but had some solid form earlier this season and could nick a place.
Theatre Man has had a wind op and a break that could rekindle his spark.
3.15
SIOG GEAL looks to be crying out for this step up to 2m4f and can improve for it.
She has been brought along patiently by trainer Fergal O’Brien this season.
She scored on hurdling debut at Catterick in December before solid efforts at Windsor and last time at Market Rasen.
You get the impression this nice price has been the target and she looks well handicapped with more to come.
Scarlett O’Tara found Carlisle too much last time but won nicely over three miles at Ascot in November so will have no stamina issues.
She’s a threat returning from a break.
Jasmine Bliss had La Pinsonniere well beaten at Southwell last time when going from the front.
She saw out this trip strongly for in-form Harry Derham and is another with improvement on the cards.
Crazierthandaisy is the Henderson second string on jockey bookings but she was impressive when winning at Warwick on New Year’s Eve and looks on a fair mark for this handicap debut even if her absence is a slight worry.
Rockstown Girl didn’t fire in a Punchestown Listed contest when last seen but a market move would be telling.
KELSO
1.15
DARE TO SHOUT will be hard to beat, especially if the forecast rain eases the ground.
He chased home Ultima winner Myretown here last month and was just edged out at Ayr last time. A repeat of that would be enough.
Cadell ran out of petrol over four miles at Musselburgh last time.
This is a more suitable test and he looks on a fair mark for Lucinda Russell.
The yard has another squeak with Your Own Story who has also been running over extreme trips.
He was second at Punchestown last year and this could be a warm-up for that.
Pull Again Green has some questions to answer after a poor run at Donny.
1.50
WYENOT was a good third in a Doncaster Grade 2 last time so should be much too hot for these rivals.
She is proven over this trip and has scored at this tricky track before so there’s lots to like.
Ottizzini wasn’t disgraced in this grade at Donny latest.
She sees out this trip strongly but needs more to reel in the tip.
Sacre Coeur is over hurdles for the first time in more than two years. She’s a useful chaser who likes this trip.
Watch for a market move, while Gale Mahler seems to have lost her way as the season’s gone on.
2.25
I AM MAX is trained just up the road by Sandy Thomson who has wrapped him in cotton wool since a good win at Haydock in January.
Rider Ryan Mania can steer him to victory.
The Jeweller’s Pet is on the upgrade and is dangerous along with Ballyfort.
The latter was an impressive winner over 2m in the mud at Ayr last time so this longer trip and should have no fears.
While Achnamara had plenty in hand when scooting in at Catterick last month.
He sees out this trip strongly and decent ground is ideal. A 6lb rise is fair and he’ll be thereabouts.
3.00
GAME COLOURS had 17 lengths to spare when winning at Lingfield last time and looks on a fair mark back at handicap level.
Trainer Ben Clarke is in decent form and she should enjoy this stamina test.
Tour Ovalie held her own in the Dawn Run at Cheltenham last week and was an easy Taunton winner before that.
She will be doing her best work at the finish and won’t be far away.
Barrabool was behind her at Taunton last month but is much better off at the weights today and there won’t be a lot between them.
Surrey Belle is improving with every run and stayed strongly at Newcastle last time.
She’s high on the shortlist along with Northern Air who was good at Taunton when last seen in January.
3.35
GOLD DES BOIS is a different horse at this specialists’ track where he was in winning form on his last visit.
He’s had a nice break since a rare blip in a much stronger race on New Year’s Day and this trip is ideal.
Escapeandevade is hard to catch right but he’s gone well here before and would figure on a going day.
Flash Du Pistolet broke his duck at Newcastle last time and a 6lb rise looks fair enough.
He could get a soft lead and take plenty of pegging back but you can’t be sure he’ll back up that last run.
Lively Citizen didn’t fire at Ayr last time but was in winning form there two starts ago and is best over this trip.
His best form gives him a chance.
Bollingerandkrug has run well here but his recent form is patchy. Last year’s winner Duty Calls has been in shocking form.
Templegate’s tips
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