Horse racing tips: Templegate NAP is well-handicapped and can land the big race at Musselburgh on Saturday

TEMPLEGATE tackles Saturday’s racing confident of having a great start to the Easter weekend.

Read on for our man’s tips and back a horse by clicking their odds below.

ABDUCTION (2.25 Musselburgh, nap)

He looked really unlucky not to beat Autumn Festival when they met here in October. Jim Goldie’s five-year-old was coming with a winning run only to see the door slammed in his face inside the final furlong.

There was a length between them at the line but he’s 2lb better off at the weights today and will hopefully get a clearer run.

MAKANAH (3.00 Musselburgh, nb)

He came with a late swoop to score over course and distance last time out in October. He relished the give in the ground there and runs off the same mark that saw him go well in the tough Portland Handicap at Doncaster two starts ago.

MUCHO MAS (2.40 Haydock, treble)

Ben Pauling’s chaser enjoyed stepping up to 3m and this slightly longer distance again should be right up his street. Cut in the ground suits and he has more to offer.

Templegate’s ITV Racing tips

HAYDOCK

1.30

WHIZZ KID looks a big price after battling to a good win at Doncaster last time. His best form has come over this trip and he gets on well with his rider who takes off a valuable 7lb. He can make the frame again at least.

Bubble Dubi took a step forward when scoring at Stratford last month. He enjoyed the bit of cut in the ground there and the handicapper hasn’t gone mad with a 5lb rise.

Word Has It is getting gradually better and chased home Bubble Dubi last time. Donald McCain’s runner is better off at the weights today but still needs to improve.

2.40

MUCHO MAS got the better of Feivel when they met at Sandown last month and can confirm that form despite a 7lb swing in the weights.

Ben Pauling’s chaser enjoyed stepping up to 3m and this slightly longer distance again should be right up his street. Cut in the ground suits and he has more to offer.

Feivel unseated for the second time in four runs at Wetherby. A mistake like that would be hard to recover from in this company.

Jeffery’s Cross has developed a habit of finishing second this season and made it four runner-up efforts in a row at Fontwell when last seen on Boxing Day. That break may have freshened him up and this trip in softish ground should be ideal. 

3.15

HYLAND enjoyed himself when stepped up to this trip for the first time at Newbury last time. He improved as the race went on and should be suited by Haydock’s long straight. He looks on a fair mark and has more to offer trainer Nicky Henderson.

Farmer’s Gamble had 14 lengths in hand when scooting in at Exeter latest and has bottomless stamina. He would like more rain as heavy ground really suits and a proper slog would be ideal for the Skelton runner.

Docpickedme comes here in excellent form with wins at Southwell and Doncaster last time. He’ll have to find more after another 6lb rise in the weights but will relish the stamina test. 

MUSSELBURGH

1.50

LION OF WAR showed promise as a two-year-old, finishing off with a solid third in a Doncaster nursery in October. Moving up to a mile should bring improvement and he looks on a fair handicap mark.

Dumfries took a step forward when winning on his seasonal comeback at Southwell last month. He picked up nicely there and saw out the mile strongly. There should be more to come.

Captain Winters acquitted himself well in smart company last season, finishing third in a Haydock Listed contest. This is likely to be the softest ground he’s faced but he’ll go close if handling it. 

2.25

ABDUCTION looked really unlucky not to beat Autumn Festival when they met here in October.

Jim Goldie’s five-year-old was coming with a winning run only to see the door slammed in his face inside the final furlong. There was a length between them at the line but he’s 2lb better off at the weights today and will hopefully get a clearer run.

Autumn Festival looks a major player as he looks for a super six wins on the spin. This trip and a little give in the ground are ideal for him.

Gweedore was third in that race here and has excellent 5lb claimer Billy Loughnane in the saddle today. It would be no surprise to see him on the podium again. 

3.00

MAKANAH came with a late swoop to score over course and distance last time out in October. He relished the give in the ground there and runs off the same mark that saw him go well in the tough Portland Handicap at Doncaster two starts ago.

Mattice did well last season with placed efforts in big handicaps at York and Ayr. He looks on a fair weight and can figure.

Came From The Dark is a Group 3 winner at best and has taken handicaps off higher marks than this. He is best over this trip and has won in testing conditions. 

3.35

GOOD SHOW has few miles on the clock and makes his handicap debut from what looks a skinny mark. He scored on debut at Hamilton before finding an Ascot Group 3 too much. He then relished stepping up to this sort of trip when a neck second at Nottingham on testing ground.

Spirit Mixer was last seen finishing sixth in good company at Newmarket’s July meeting. If he’s back to his best he’ll be a big threat for in-form trainer Andrew Balding although quicker ground would probably be ideal.

Metier is fit from hurdling and was an impressive winner at Doncaster on his last turf outing in November. This longer trip holds no fears and he is another on a fair weight. 

Templegate’s tips

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