Horse racing tips: ‘He’s well ahead of the handicapper’ – Templegate’s 6-1 NAP is unstoppable fresh
TEMPLEGATE tackles Saturday’s racing confident of banging in some winners.
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SHUTUPSHIRLEY (1.50 Newbury, nap)
He was impressive when winning at Fontwell on Boxing Day after two years off. He’s had another little break since then and has lots of staying power for this trip. He could be well ahead of the handicapper.
JOYEUSE (3.35 Newbury, nb)
He is improving and was a little unlucky not to score on handicap debut at Cheltenham last time when hampered. The drop in trip is no worry and connections won this last year.
SHAKEM UP’ARRY (3.15 Warwick, treble)
He is only 4lb higher than his Plate success at last year’s Cheltenham Festival. He fell early when making his veterans’ chase debut at Cheltenham last time and has been given a little break. His best form would take him very close.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
NEWBURY
1.50
SHUTUPSHIRLEY was impressive when winning at Fontwell on Boxing Day after two years off.
He’s had another little break since then and has lots of staying power for this trip. He could be well ahead of the handicapper.
Haiti Coleurs has been in great form over fences and is good over hurdles too.
He can make his mark tackling the smaller obstacles again.
Up For Parol enjoyed the mud at Ffos Las and would be a threat if repeating that in these quicker conditions.
Similar comments apply to Magical King who ran well at Haydock last time.
Kruger Park ran a good race at Uttoxeter and is another to consider in this wide open contest.
2.25
THIS is the best chance BRAVEMANSGAME has had for a long time and he should take it.
He was a solid third in the Betfair Chase before joining most of the field in blowing out in the King George last time.
He’s short of the top level these days but likes this trip and track the first-time tongue strap may help.
Djelo was impressive when winning the Peterborough in December but was well short of that effort at Windsor three weeks ago.
Huntingdon may have been his cup final but he can’t be dismissed.
Paul Nicholls’ other hope Hitman has been second in the past two runnings of this and is likely to hit the frame again.
Le Patron was a Grade 1 winner as a novice and won a handicap here on his seasonal debut.
He was poor last time and must prove he stays this trip.
3.00
WITH Sir Gino at home in his box, this is a great chance for MATATA to back up his impressive victory at Windsor.
He went from the front and never saw a danger. He tanked along like a classy chaser and jumped well.
That backed up his neck second at Kelso in Decemberwhen he was trying to give weight away in bottomless ground.
This trip and going are ideal and he could take another step up.
Edwardstone will keep him honest after another decent effort behind Jonbon at Ascot.
He won this race 12 months ago and is still a force below the highest level.
Libberty Hunter was good at Cheltenham last time but needs to raise his game again.
3.35
JOYEUSE is improving and was a little unlucky not to score on handicap debut at Cheltenham last time when hampered.
The drop in trip is no worry and connections won this last year.
That was with Iberico Lord who has more weight this time but could nick a place.
Secret Squirrel was impressive at Windsor last time and can figure if repeating that on this more galloping track.
Favour And Fortune needed the run at Ascot and should show up better.
Aucunrisque is on a fair weight and won this two years ago so is another with place claims.
WARWICK
2.05
L’EAU DU SUD has almost become the forgotten novice chaser since the emergence of Sir Gino but he can show why he’s third favourite for the Arkle here.
He has already struck in Grade 1 company for trainer Dan Skelton when winning the Henry VII easily at Sandown in December.
He jumped well there and at Cheltenham when taking another hot race in November.
There’s nothing in this line-up to have shown anything like his quality and he’s hard to fault over an ideal trip with a bit of give in the ground.
Rubaud was a top-class hurdler but he hit the deck when a mile behind Sir Gino on his chase debut at Kempton last time.
He’s clearly better than that but it’s asking a lot for him to beat the jolly after that false start.
Tedley has lots of experience over fences but is no more than a fair handicapper.
Riskintheground was last in a bog standard novice chase at Ascot last time so this looks a very tall order.
2.40
GALA MARCEAU was a Grade 1 winner before joining Willie Mullins and she was far from disgraced behind Lossiemouth in the big Festivals last season.
This is the first time she’s dropped down below Graded level and her class should see her home.
This sort of trip holds no fears and she’s gone well fresh before.
West Balboa has flattered to deceive this season and the Skeltons reach for the cheekpieces now.
She didn’t perform in two chase runs and has been below par since returning to the smaller obstacles.
Her fourth at Kempton’s Christmas meeting was better but she’ll still have to pull her socks up to beat the Irish raider.
You Wear It Well was seventh in the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last year and, after a fair start at Bangor, has largely struggled over fences.
Trainer Jamie Snowden is in fair form as she tries hurdling again.
Dameofthecotswolds has done well at lower levels but this is much tougher.
3.15
SHAKEM UP’ARRY is only 4lb higher than his Plate success at last year’s Cheltenham Festival.
He fell early when making his veterans’ chase debut at Cheltenham last time and has been given a little break.
His best form would take him very close.
Fugitif was asked to make up too much late ground at Cheltenham last time and did well to finish third.
That was in the December Gold Cup against slightly hotter rivals than this.
He likes this trip and has had a little nudge down the weights.
His first preference today is Newbury but he’d be a huge danger if ending up here.
Le Milos enjoyed coming back to this trip when third at Chepstow.
He looked as though he may win at the second-last but his effort petered out a little.
That has to be a slight worry again. Grandads Cottage was poor at Market Rasen last month on the back of a convincing Carlisle success.
He tries cheekpieces today which could help and more rain would be a help.
Smarty Wild has not raced much in the past two years but showed something at Rasen last time so has an each-way shout.
Templegate’s tips
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