TEMPLEGATE tackles Thursday’s racing confident of finding more than his fair share of winners, including at day three of the Punchestown Festival.
Read on for our man’s tips and back a horse by clicking their odds below.
TWAYBLADE (8.30 Chelmsford, nap)
He was impressive when scoring at Yarmouth last time. He went from the front and didn’t look like getting caught. He can pull off the same tactics here.
SEA FLAWLESS (2.50 Beverley, nb)
She is perfect for trainer William Haggas. She scored on debut at Newcastle before finding 1m4f too far last time. This distance should be ideal on turf debut.
SHADES OF SUMMER (5.40 Chelmsford, treble)
She has been knocking on the door and was a close third at Wolves latest. Moving up in trip can do the trick from what looks a fair mark.
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Templegate’s Punchestown verdicts
3.40
BY YOUR SIDE won a big-field maiden even at Naas before heading to Cheltenham earlier this month where he was a solid third after going for home too soon. He likes this trip and has every chance from what looks a fair handicap mark.
His trainer Gordon Elliott has a couple of hopes and stablemate Gordons Aura was far from disgraced when third at Fairyhouse 17 days ago.
Golf Marin is coming here on the back of a good win where he showed plenty of zip for this trip. He has been mixing chasing and hurdling and has more to offer over these smaller obstacles.
4.15
DOUGLAS TALKING ran a cracker when second in the red-hot Red Rum Chase at Aintree last time. He jumped well and was collared in the closing stages by a good winner. Provided this isn’t coming too soon he can go close again.
Dinoblue was an excellent second in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival. He then came out at Fairyhouse and didn’t break sweat in winning by nine lengths. It’s asking a bit to run three big races in a shortish space of time but he’ll be a major player if there’s anything left in the tank.
Grange Walk came back to his best when scoring in the mud at Gowran last month. He’s up 7lb for that but would have every chance if repeating that form on this better ground.
4.50
STEALTHY TOM looks hard to beat judged on his game win over this unique course in February. He saw out an extended three miles there and should have no issue getting this longer trip. He is fit from a quiet spin over hurdles and Enda Bolger will have him nicely tuned up.
Clonguile Way is proven overt his distance and is capable of bouncing back from his blip at Kelso latest. He ran well behind the top here in February and has solid place claims.
Space Cadet has not run much under Rules since finishing seventh in this race two years ago. He came back to finish an excellent third in the Ulster National at Downpatrick last time and is another for the shortlist.
5.25
TEAHUPOO came from a long way back when beaten less than a length into third for the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. He might have won with a clearer run in the closing stages and can make amends here.
Sire Du Berlais keeps confounding the critics and followed his shock Cheltenham victory with an easier win in the Aintree version for the second year running. He couldn’t back up his Liverpool form when fourth in this race 12 months ago but only a fool would rule him out while in this form.
Klassical Dream has won this for the past two years and clearly loves Punchestown. He was well below par at Cheltenham but it would be no surprise to see him bounce back.
6.00
A GREAT VIEW hasn’t scored since winning this race 12 months ago so he’s back from a lower handicap mark. He wasn’t disgraced when sixth here in February and it would be no shock if he was cherry ripe to show his best form today.
Nicky Henderson runs Walking On Air who was an unlucky fifth in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham. He had the door shut a few times and will finish a lot closer with better luck.
Ailie Rose had a bit left in the tank when winning by five lengths at Fairyhouse 17 days ago. He’s gone up 8lb for that but could have more to offer.
6.35
EL FABIOLO proved himself to be the speediest novice chaser in the game when winning the Arkle at Cheltenham by an easy five lengths. He put Jonbon firmly in his place there after seeing off the best of the home team in the Irish version at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Dysart Dynamo has the ideal scenario for his front-running style and he will try to nick this. He couldn’t pull off those tactics at Cheltenham where he was already well beaten before hitting the deck. He may hold on for second here.
Saint Roi was a creditable third in the Arkle before chasing home another potential superstar in Banbridge at Aintree last time. He sees out 2m4f well so will be challenging Dysart Dynamo late for the forecast spot.
7.10
QUEEN JANE was nothing special over hurdles but has already taken her form to a much higher level in two chase outings. She had almost ten lengths in hand when scoring on debut at Clonmel before leaving that form behind against better opposition at Limerick. There is more to come.
Henry De Bromhead has another chance with Secret She Keeps. She landed a novice success at Thurles before a decent fourth here. She hasn’t run since November so is fresh and has plenty of stamina.
Indie Belle didn’t have to break sweat for a nine-length win at Downpatrick earlier this month. She faces stiffer opposition here but that was an impressive chase debut and there should be more to come.
7.45
BALLYBURN can land yet another nice bumper for Willie Mullins. He showed plenty of zip when winning on debut here in February. He comes from a high-class jumping family and should take a fair step forward here.
Dancing City improved from his first outing to win at Wexford and is another from the champion trainer with solid claims.
Slade Steel looked well above average when winning on debut here before Christmas. He has been off since then but should have a fair bit more to offer.
Templegate’s tips
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