Horse racing tips: ‘His 5lb rise looks very fair’ – Templegate’s 7-2 NAP can strike for champion jockey
TEMPLEGATE tackles Saturday’s epic jumps season finale confident of banging in a few winners.
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CLASSIC ANTHEM (1.50 Sandown, nap)
He can take this nice prize under Sean Bowen. He was good here last time and a 5lb walk up the weights looks pretty fair. He is fine on the ground and can take another step forward.
HIGH CLASS HERO (4.10 Sandown, nb)
He can get Willie Mullins over the line in the trainer’s race by winning this. He has lots of potential and a very fair weight after going close in a Thurles Grade 3 last time. Novices have a decent record in this and Paul Townend in the saddle is a plus.
KITZBUHEL (3.00 Sandown, treble)
He was slightly outclassed in the Liverpool Hurdle last time and this should be more his grade. He was impressive at Gowran two starts back and has few miles on the clock.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
SANDOWN
1.20
KIENTZHEIM hasn’t looked a lot like her half-sister Epatante since moving to Nicky Henderson but she can improve a bundle now going into handicaps from a low mark. This trip is fine and James Bowen can get a tune out of her.
Nardaran looked a nice prospect when scooting in by 11 lengths at Taunton earlier this month. Despite that, his opening handicap mark is fair and Sean Bowen’s ride will be thereabouts.
Paul Nicholls also has Fasol who needs to bounce back from a poor run, while Harry Cobden rides the yard’s Sorceleur who was just five lengths away in the Imperial Cup here last month.
1.50
CLASSIC ANTHEM can take this nice prize under Sean Bowen. He was good here last time and a 5lb walk up the weights looks pretty fair. He is fine on the ground and can take another step forward.
Riskintheground looks dangerous for Dan Skelton. He comes here in the form of his life having won at Ayr earlier this month before a quick follow up at Cheltenham 10 days ago. This trip is ideal and a 2lb rise gives him every chance if this isn’t coming too soon.
Insurrection found the Golden Miller at Cheltenham a bit much last time but he went into that race after a 16-length win at Musselburgh and could easily bounce back.
2.25
GAELIC WARRIOR bounced back from his modest Dublin Chase effort with an impressive success at Aintree last time. He relished the longer trip there and there should be no stamina worries here. He goes on any ground and looks a cut above these.
Pic D’Orhy would love this race to be run at Ascot where he’s won four hot races in a row. He has yet to fully prove his stamina but he comes here fresh having not run since February and that could make the difference.
Gentleman De Mee will enjoy this jumping test after winning the Topham over the National fences at Aintree. He finished strongly there and should enjoy this trip.
3.00
Willie Mullins won this last year and can follow up thanks to KITZBUHEL. He was slightly outclassed in the Liverpool Hurdle last time and this should be more his grade. He was impressive at Gowran two starts back and has few miles on the clock.
Take No Chances was no match for Lossiemouth in the Aintree Hurdle but that’s no disgrace. She chased that superstar home in the Cheltenham Mares’ race too and her weight allowance enhances her chances.
Blueking D’Oroux got stuck in the mud at Fontwell last time and has had a little break since. He ran well in the Long Walk Hurdle at Christmas and a repeat of that would put him in the picture.
3.35
JONBON bounced back from his Cheltenham Festival mishap with a convincing defence of his Melling Chase title at Aintree. He’s had a busy season but should have enough quality to land another nice prize.
Il Etait Temps is coming back from a year off since his win at last year’s Punchestown Festival. He has run well when fresh before. The slight worry is his liking for softer ground and his jumping will be tested by this track. Saying that, he has plenty of quality.
Paul Townend sticks with Energumene who was pulled up in the Champion Chase and was no match for Jonbon at Ascot in January. He’s knocking on a bit now at 11 but is still a threat. The game Edwardstone is past his best but likes it here and is in the each-way picture.
4.10
HIGH CLASS HERO can get Willie Mullins over the line in the trainer’s race by winning this. He has lots of potential and a very fair weight after going close in a Thurles Grade 3 last time. Novices have a decent record in this and Paul Townend in the saddle is a plus.
Defending champ and stablemate Minella Cocooner was a little unlucky in the Grand National and should be thereabouts again.
Another Mullins hope Grangeclare West has a touch of class and is feared. Away from the Closutton batallion, Victorrino looks a fair each-way price under Charlie Deutsch.
4.45
IKE SPORT won this race 12 months ago and showed positive times when fifth in a big field at Aintree last time. He has come nicely down the weights and we know this trip and track are ideal.
Willie Mullins has two good chances with Dr Eggman going close at Cheltenham last time. Stablemate Bunting wasn’t disgraced at Ayr’s Grand National meeting and is dangerous under Paul Townend.
The Skeltons have a chance too with Mostly Sunny who is back just five days after a smooth success at Plumpton. He’ll be right there if this isn’t coming too soon.
LEICESTER
2.05
COMPLETELY RANDOM clocked a big personal best when scooting in at Southwell last time. He finished the race strongly over 5f so this extra furlong should be fine and he could be the type who improves plenty as a four-year-old.
Trilby got the job done nicely at Beverley and another 4lb rise in the weights may not put the brakes on. He would prefer some rain as his best has come with a bit of cut. Similar comments apply to Sergeant Wilko who ended last season with an excellent fifth at York in a big field. He has winning form over this trip and track and will be dangerous if handling the quicker ground.
HAYDOCK
2.40
MYAL went for home a bit too soon on comeback at Doncaster last time and was nabbed near the line. He should be fitter for that good third and has winning form over this trip and track. He handles any ground and could have more to come.
Skukuza hasn’t run since his mighty second in the Britannia Stakes last June. He is entitled to need this but anything like that form would take him close. Watch the betting for clues about his fitness.
Cerulean Bay is solid over this trip and is only 3lb higher than his last win. He has scored here before and should be in the mix, while English Oak’s last win was the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot and he’s still 9lb higher than that. He likes this trip but may need this run.
Templegate’s tips
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