TEMPLEGATE tackles Saturday’s racing confident of landing a few winners.
Back a horse at the best price by clicking their odds below – and don’t forget to check out his latest Cheltenham Festival ante-post tips and a big shout for the Grand National.
IBERICO LORD (3.15 Newbury, nap)
He looked a class act when winning the Greatwood Hurdle in the mud at Cheltenham two runs ago. He saw out this trip really strongly and had plenty left in the tank. The quicker ground at Ascot was against him last time and these conditions will suit better from what still looks a fair handicap mark.
BOOTHILL (2.40 Newbury, nb)
He took the first tumble of his career at Kempton last time but he can get back on track here. He was a back-to-back winner at Ascot before that and seems to have improved since being placed in this grade last season.
HASTHING (12.55 Newbury, treble)
He was useful in bumpers and has done really well since going hurdling with wins at Leicester and Catterick. He was value for a lot more than the official winning margin last time and looks capable of a lot better.
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Templegate’s TV verdicts
NEWBURY
1.30
AMERICAN SNIPER charged up Cheltenham’s hill to score over 2m5f two runs ago and he’ll prefer this test to the shorter distance he tackled when fourth at Taunton latest.
He looks capable of improving for this distance and it’s still early days at handicap level.
Kyntara ran well at Warwick last time when going down in a tight finish. He would have won but for stumbling after the final flight and can go close again.
Emitom goes on any ground and went through the mud for a close-up second at Ludlow latest. This is tougher from a higher mark but he has place claims.
Equinus kicked off this season with a good win at Aintree before failing to match that on his past two. He’s had a little nudge down the weights which could help.
Wiseguy has been chasing with little success and may be happy back over timber.
2.05
SHISHKIN looked an unlucky loser in the King George at Kempton last time.
He looked to have the race at his mercy only to stumble on the flat after jumping the second-last.
He refused to race before that at Ascot which is always going to be a worry but he’s a multiple Grade 1 winner who seems suited by this trip.
He can tee up a run at the Gold Cup with a good performance here.
Protektorat hasn’t won since November 2022 but he was a solid fifth in last year’s Gold Cup and left a poor comeback run at Haydock behind with good placed runs at Cheltenham and Lingfield.
He has no issues with stamina over this distance and goes on any ground.
The Skelton yard could be in better form but he’s likely to go close again.
Hitman has always come up short when trying this level and he’s been beaten a total of 200 lengths on his past three chase outings.
His best recent effort came when third in last year’s Ryanair Chase over a shorter trip.
Sam Brown won a fair handicap at Warwick over this distance last month but isn’t in this class.
2.40
BOOTHILL took the first tumble of his career at Kempton last time but he can get back on track here.
He was a back-to-back winner at Ascot before that and seems to have improved since being placed in this grade last season.
Edwardstone didn’t stay last time and will be much happier back over this distance.
He’s not the force that won races like the Arkle a couple of years ago but anything close to his best form would take him very close.
Funambule Sivola has won the past two runnings of this race so has to be respected.
His form seems to have dipped a little this season but he’s proven on any ground and we know this challenge is right up his street.
Editeur Du Gite loves to get out in front and could take some pegging back.
He made a bad error in a Cheltenham Grade 1 last time but was an emphatic winner at Kempton before that and is one who wouldn’t mind more rain.
Amarillo Sky likes it here but is entitled to need this after a year off. He has come up short every time he’s tackled Graded company.
3.15
IBERICO LORD looked a class act when winning the Greatwood Hurdle in the mud at Cheltenham two runs ago.
He saw out this trip really strongly and had plenty left in the tank.
The quicker ground at Ascot was against him last time and these conditions will suit better from what still looks a fair handicap mark.
Altobelli has been knocking on the door in good company at Ascot and he has more to come at this early stage of his career. Trainer Harry Fry certainly has high hopes for him.
Ocastle Des Mottes has some solid form in France and he’s been backed ahead of this debut for Irish superstar Willie Mullins.
He’s 8lb above his last winning mark but that could underestimate him.
Lookaway is consistent and chased home the tip in the Greatwood. He followed that up with an excellent second in a Grade 1 here last time and likes it soft.
He goes from the front and could fight them off.
Luccia has top weight but she is in fine form and looked very game when scoring by a neck at Ascot last time out at Christmas.
She’s up a fair 4lb for that so should be thereabouts again.
Go Dante showed good pace to score at Cheltenham last time and has an each-way shout.
Templegate’s tips plus Irish selections
Naas
1.20 Lark In The Mornin
1.55 Captain Cody
2.30 Union Station
3.05 Whiskeywealth
3.40 Maskada
4.15 Its On The Line
4.50 Rose Boum
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