TEMPLEGATE takes on a huge Saturday of action at Newbury and Warwick.
Read on for our man’s tips and back a horse by clicking their odds below.
HACKER DES PLACES (3.35 Newbury, nap)
He battled to score in a big field at Cheltenham last time and has every chance again under a 5lb penalty. He has plenty of zip for this trip and will be out of trouble near the front end, which often pays dividends at Newbury.
STOLEN SILVER (1.30 Warwick, nb)
He signed off last season with a Grade 2 win at Cheltenham and ran his best race since when a close second in good company there on New Year’s Day. He sees out this trip really strongly and should score on this drop in class.
ELDORADO ALLEN (2.25 Newbury, treble)
He took this last year and can follow up. He ran well at Wetherby and Haydock before finding the King George too much. He’ll be much happier here.
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Templegate’s ITV Racing verdicts
NEWBURY
1.50
WEST TO THE BRIDGE has dropped to 4lb below his last winning mark and ran a cracker when second at Uttoxeter last time.
He likes to go from the front and could get an easy lead with most of his rivals liking to come from off the pace.
Barbados Buck’s was third on his last visit here and filled the same spot at Wincanton. He stays well and looks on a fair weight so won’t be far away.
Regarding Ruth is back from a break but was impressive when winning a Market Rasen and scored on her one run here. A market move would be telling.
2.25
ELDORADO ALLEN took this last year and can follow up. He ran well at Wetherby and Haydock before finding the King George too much. He’ll be much happier here.
Hitman was pulled up in Boxing Day’s big one and broke a blood vessel which is a slight worry. He was good at Haydock before that but hasn’t proven his stamina for this trip.
That doesn’t apply to Fanion D’Estruval who has Charlie Deutsch taking over from an amateur rider. He was staying on over three miles at Wetherby last time and the first-time cheekpieces may help too.
3.00
GREANETEEN is high-class and would have been closer to Edwardstone in the Tingle Creek but for a last-fence error. It was still a big run in second and he already has three Grade 1s on his CV. This trip is ideal and he’s hard to beat.
Last year’s winner Funambole Sivola was a good second in the Champion Chase in March but has really struggled since. Returning to Newbury needs to spark a revival.
Elixir De Nutz landed a good handicap at Wincanton over further last time. He is a really good jumper but takes on stronger rivals here.
3.35
HACKER DES PLACES battled to score in a big field at Cheltenham last time and has every chance again under a 5lb penalty.
He has plenty of zip for this trip and will be out of trouble near the front end, which often pays dividends at Newbury.
Emmet Mullins knows how to lay one out for a hot handicap and his Filey Bay has landed good wins at Doncaster and Wincanton this season. He’s 16lb higher than the first of those but that may not be enough to stop him.
Monviel is another going up the weights but he was impressive at Ascot on just his second handicap run. This trip suits and Philip Hobbs’ hope has more to come.
WARWICK
1.30
STOLEN SILVER signed off last season with a Grade 2 win at Cheltenham and ran his best race since when a close second in good company there on New Year’s Day. He sees out this trip really strongly and should score on this drop in class.
Mackenburg has been in good form this season and followed two wins with a solid fifth at Doncaster latest. He’s only 3lb higher than his last win and he comes back to his ideal distance here.
Galahad Quest has been knocking on the door and has had a little nudge down the weights since finishing second at Wincanton last time. That gives him a chance.
2.05
LOVE ENVOI should be much too strong. She won the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at last year’s Festival before going close in Grade 1 company at Fairyhouse.
She has won both starts this season, including by 13 lengths in this class at Sandown. She sees out this trip strongly and handles any going.
Molly Ollys Wishes looks good for the forecast spot despite despite pulling away her chanced in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham 14 days ago. She started this season with a Wetherby Listed win and today’s drop in trip looks wise.
Theatre Glory progressed last season, signing off with a good Cheltenham win in April. She unseated on comeback and still looked a little rusty when third at Kempton. She stays well and this track suits.
2.40
JONBON can warm up for Cheltenham by following in Edwardstone’s hoofprints and winning this before a crack at next month’s Arkle.
He has gone from strength to strength since switching from hurdles where he was a Grade 1 winner. His jumping has been impressive so far and will be a major asset both here and at the Festival.
It would be a shock if any of these rivals laid a glove on him. Haddex Des Obeaux is clear second best and had 19 lengths in hand when taking a fair handicap here last month.
Templegate’s tips
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