Horse racing tips: ‘He’s improving with every run’ – Templegate’s 5-1 NAP to spark a Plumpton party for Willie Mullins
TEMPLEGATE tackles a busy Bank Holiday Monday confident of banging in some winners.
Back a horse by clicking their odds below – and check out our man’s Irish Grand National tip, 1-2-3-4 prediction and complete runner-by-runner guide.
WESTPORT COVE (2.35 Plumpton, nap)
He is improving with every run over fences and went close at Wexford last time. He has a fair weight for this handicap debut and can land a blow in the title race for Irish maestro Willie Mullins. He goes from the front which usually pays dividends at this tight track.
BOTANICAL (2.55 Kempton, nb)
He looked badly in need of the run when a solid third in a Doncaster Listed contest last month. He was up front into a strong headwind, which didn’t help, and he just faded in the closing stages. Moving up to his best trip is a wise move and he’ll be right there.
COUP DE FORCE (4.40 Kempton, treble)
She has won three of her past four on the all-weather, including a victory over this course and distance. She’s a fair 3lb higher than her last success at Southwell and trainer Stuart Kittow is in excellent form.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
KEMPTON
2.55
BOTANICAL looked badly in need of the run when a solid third in a Doncaster Listed contest last month.
He was up front into a strong headwind, which didn’t help, and he just faded in the closing stages.
Moving up to his best trip is a wise move and he’ll be right there.
Okeechobee has never fulfilled his potential thanks to a series of injuries and hasn’t been seen since his Sandown Grade 3 win this time last year.
He has loads of talent and will figure if wound up.
Teumessias Fox has a fitness edge over some of his potentially classier rivals and trainer Andrew Balding is in red-hot form.
His handicap win on comeback here last month was pretty smart and he looks a big price to make the frame.
Military Order is back from a long break but has Group wins on his CV and won the Winter Derby last year so should handle the surface.
Watch for a market move.
Lion’s Pride is proven at this level but would probably prefer an extra quarter-mile.
Checkandchallenge has a run under his belt this season but is better over a mile.
3.30
SKY SAFARI enjoyed dropping down from Listed level to take a Wolverhampton handicap last time out in October.
She has gone well fresh before and should be well ahead of the handicapper from a mark of 76.
Top Of The Class had plenty up her sleeve when winning here in February and lost her chance with a slow start at Southwell latest.
Winning jockey Billy Loughnane gets back on board today which could make the difference.
Mercury Day has her sights lowered after tackling Listed company here last time.
Her handicap mark could be a little kinder but she has an each-way shout under Rossa Ryan.
Atlantis Blue likes this trip but should come on for this comeback run.
4.05
NORTH VIEW needed his very rusty comeback at Yarmouth 16 days ago when his favoured blinkers were left off.
The headgear returns as he moves back up to his best trip and he has a nice draw in stall four.
He went close here in September off this mark and looks the one to beat.
Supreme King would be a big threat if repeating his 6f form over this longer trip which isn’t guaranteed but he goes well here.
The booking of Oisin Murphy takes the eye on Metaverse who looked rusty at Doncaster last month.
He’s dropped to the mark that saw him score at Newmarket last season and this is his best trip.
Follow Your Heart is a regular winner and had a bit up his sleeve when scoring at Wolver last month.
This track suits too and he’ll go well under William Buick.
Kitaro Kich has been flying at lower levels and isn’t underestimated, while market support for the capable Ahlain on this comeback would be telling.
4.40
COUP DE FORCE has won three of her past four on the all-weather, including a victory over this course and distance.
She’s a fair 3lb higher than her last success at Southwell and trainer Stuart Kittow is in excellent form.
Cypriot Diaspora will be winning races like this soon but just may need the comeback even with Oisin Murphy in the saddle.
Hierarchy is always thereabouts despite winning rarely so should be on the podium again under Saffie Osborne from an unchanged mark.
Rebel Path is consistent at this level and went close at Wolverhampton last time. He’s back from the same mark with place prospects.
PLUMPTON
2.35
WESTPORT COVE is improving with every run over fences and went close at Wexford last time.
He has a fair weight for this handicap debut and can land a blow in the title race for Irish maestro Willie Mullins.
He goes from the front which usually pays dividends at this tight track.
JPR One has plenty of weight but this is a drop in class after his midfield run in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham.
He was in place contention until clouting the second-last and looks dangerous.
Sans Bruit couldn’t have been more impressive when taking the Red Rum at Aintree last time but he went 12 months without a win after taking that race last year which has to be a worry.
Asta La Pasta scored by a distance at Ayr last weekend but is another who can’t be relied on to follow that up in what looks a much stronger contest.
Teddy Blue is in good form and followed a Kempton win with a solid Newbury second.
A repeat of that would bring him into the place picture.
Templegate’s tips
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