TEMPLEGATE tackles Good Friday’s racing confident of banging in a fair few winners.
Back a horse at the best price by clicking their odds below – and see our man’s tips for Dubai World Cup night where Sir Alex Ferguson is going for a £2.7million winner.
DEAR MY FRIEND (4.40 Newcastle, nap)
He has been faultless this winter with two convincing wins at Lingfield after scoring over this course and distance. He trotted across the line last time in a hot handicap so a 6lb rise shouldn’t put the brakes on. He likes to be up with the pace and Joe Fanning can steer him home again.
SPARTAN ARMY (1.53 Newcastle, nb)
He has been a revelation since switching to the sand from hurdling with three wins over this sort of trip. He was value for further than the official margin of a neck at Lingfield last time for Alan King who won this race 12 months ago.
BYSTANDER (2.05 Lingfield, treble)
He was impressive when scoring over course and distance on his handicap debut earlier this month. He kept pulling out more and should have a lot more to offer. Asgard’s Captain clocked a big personal best at Newcastle on Monday. He had masses in hand and should run well if repeating that at this very different track.
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Templegate’s TV verdicts
NEWCASTLE
1.53
SPARTAN ARMY has been a revelation since switching to the sand from hurdling with three wins over this sort of trip.
He was value for further than the official margin of a neck at Lingfield last time for Alan King who won this race 12 months ago.
Citizen General landed a smooth success at Kempton and is a strong stayer. He’ll be competitive despite a 7lb rise.
Palace Boy finished well behind the tip when they met at Southwell last month and is respected along with Prydwen who was second to him at Leafy last time.
Max Vega has been in good form over 1m4f and will be a contender if seeing out this longer trip.
Tyson Fury enjoyed this test when scoring at Dundalk latest and has place claims.
2.25
SOMMELIER was a big improver when second over course and distance on handicap debut last time.
He was nabbed right on the line by Blue Prince – who is a danger again – but will come on for the experience and looks on a fair weight.
Media Shooter has been in fine form at Kempton with two wins and a second from his past three runs. He’ll be a big threat if reproducing that form here.
Fire Demon is another Kempton specialist who had plenty in hand when scoring there last month. A 6lb rise in the weights looks fair.
Bazball was a good third here when last seen on New Year’s Day and his rider’s claim will come in handy.
3.00
NINE TENTHS scored at Listed level last time and can strike back at handicap level.
She was just pipped by Shades Of Summer – who has solid place claims again – when they met here on New Year’s Day but she was unlucky there and is much better off at the weights today.
Trip and track suit and her rider’s 7lb claim should seal it.
Wild Side hasn’t run since finishing a place behind the tip here and is an each-way player again.
Just A Spark won three on the spin before a blip at Southwell last time and can’t be written off.
Sibyl Charm likes it here and is another with an each-way chance upped in grade.
3.35
COVER UP has been in blistering form here over 5f and will be hard to stop if seeing out this longer trip.
The Gosdens’ flyer has won over it at Lingfield and has more to offer with relatively few miles on the clock. He can take a step up under Rab Havlin.
It wouldn’t be a shock to see old boy Summerghand fly home off a strong pace and hit the frame. He went well at Lingfield last time.
Albasheer has won his past two here and has proven his staying power for the trip. He’s gone up another 5lb but should still be competitive.
Batal Dubai has been given a chance by the handicapper despite a string of good efforts. He finished strongly over this trip at Lingfield and has scored here before.
Fivethousandtoone was a place ahead of him at Kempton latest and is another with plenty of good form at the track.
4.10
HOOKING has been flying in France with back-to-back Listed wins on the sand at Cagnes.
He is proven over this trip and can close dropping back into handicap company.
Oh So Grand landed the hat-trick at Lingfield latest but has also scored around here. She’s creeping up the weights but looks progressive.
Penzance made it four in a row last time including a battling win over course and distance. He’s 25lb higher than the start of that run but can’t be ignored.
Onesmoothoperator was a bit unlucky at Southwell latest and has a good record here. He’s an each-way player along with Kempton winner Teumessias Fox.
4.40
DEAR MY FRIEND has been faultless this winter with two convincing wins at Lingfield after scoring over this course and distance.
He trotted across the line last time in a hot handicap so a 6lb rise shouldn’t put the brakes on.
He likes to be up with the pace and Joe Fanning can steer him home again.
Kingdom Come looks a big threat for Clive Cox and Rossa Ryan.
He had been knocking on the door before battling to score at Wolver last time. He stays well and will get a good pace to aim at for a late flourish.
French raider Fast Raaj has a Group 3 win on his CV and was impressive at Chantilly earlier this month. He has a big weight but can go well.
Symbol Of Light went down in a head-bobber at Kempton when finishing well. He should be suited by this strong gallop and long straight.
LINGFIELD
2.05
BYSTANDER was impressive when scoring over course and distance on his handicap debut earlier this month.
He kept pulling out more and should have a lot more to offer.
Asgard’s Captain clocked a big personal best at Newcastle on Monday. He had masses in hand and should run well if repeating that at this very different track.
Wadacre Gomez didn’t get the run of the race when fourth here latest after a good Wolver win. His best would give him a chance.
Al Rufaa chased him home last time when meeting some traffic problems and could well reverse the form off what looks a very fair weight. Inspiritus is another who looks capable of better.
2.40
BENAVENTE got the job done nicely at Southwell last time with plenty left in the tank.
It was all the more impressive after he missed the break and can hopefully start quicker here.
He can cope with his rising mark and take this prize back to Ireland.
Cephalus keeps winning for Sunracing columnist Gary Moore. He has a 5lb penalty for scoring here last time which shouldn’t stop him going close.
Court Of Session was in front too soon at Kempton after a good Chelmsford win. This track suits him best.
Borgi went close on his last visit here before scoring at Southwell. This trip suits and he’s a threat along with the consistent Baldomero.
3.15
TENERIFE SUNSHINE looked to be crying out for this longer trip when a strong-finishing second over 1m4f at Kempton last time.
Stepping up half a mile here can unlock his potential from what looks a fair handicap mark.
Riyami has run well a couple of times over this trip at Dundalk and is a proven stayer. He’s climbing the weights but won’t be far away.
Barenboim went close over course and distance two runs ago before finding the drop in trip against him at Southwell. T
rainer David O’Meara is in decent nick and he won’t be far away. Aqwaam has been going close at Wolverhampton and is another to note in an open contest.
3.50
APACHE OUTLAW clocked a personal best when winning over this trip at Dundalk last week.
He didn’t have to hit top gear in landing a comfortable success. A 5lb penalty gives him every chance of following up.
Prince Of Zenda is fresh from a pillar-to-post success at Newcastle but he’s scored around here before too. He tanks along and will take lots of pegging back.
Stablemate How Impressive is in fine form with three wins and a second from his past four, including one here. He’s creeping up the weights but is another with a big say.
Daamberdiplomat has been going well at Dundalk for Johnny Murtagh and is only 1lb higher than his close third there last time.
Templegate’s tips
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