TEMPLEGATE tackles Wednesday’s racing confident of building the bank for a big weekend at Cheltenham.
Their two-day meeting starts on Friday but there are plenty of winners to be had before then.
BALLYLINCH (1.45 Hexham, nap)
Brian Hughes has ridden him on both his spins over fences so far. They kicked off with an easy win just up the road at Sedgefield where he showed loads of staying power in testing conditions. Trainer Micky Hammond sent him back there last month when he put in a good display to finish second with the bottomless ground again proving to be right up his street. Hughes wasn’t hard on him in the closing stages and could have made the margin less than 12 lengths. This six-year-old has a lot more to offer over fences and is only 2lb higher than that opening win. We know it will be tough going again today so his proven stamina will be a major asset and he can strike again.
BEBSIDE BANTER (12.45 Hexham, nb)
Was a revelation on his chase debut at Sedgefield last time out. He jumped like an old hand and had the race wrapped up a long way from home. He wasn’t stopping at the end of the 2m5f distance in soft conditions. Any horse that tackles the stiff finish there will have no problem today. The handicapper has shunted him up 7lb for that success but you would hope for plenty of improvement for the experience and he’s clearly going to leave his hurdling form a long way behind. He takes on Breeze Of Wind again who was left in his wake after being backed off the boards last time. There’s no obvious reason why he’ll turn the form around.
REBEL’S ROMANCE (7.30 Kempton, treble)
Wednesday’s card at Kempton is well above the normal midweek fare and this Godolphin star can take the feature Listed Wild Flower Stakes. It’s safe to say that last season didn’t exactly go to plan after he ended the 2022 campaign by winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland. That was the third overseas Group 1 win in a row for Charlie Appleby’s superstar. His comeback run at Meydan in March was below par before he clipped heels and dumped his rider on the deck at Saratoga in July. Another modest run in the States followed when the unusually soft ground didn’t suit at Aqueduct. This is his first British outing since he won a Newmarket Listed contest 18 months ago and he took a novice contest at Kempton so the track should hold no fears. He won’t be a big price but should be much too good.
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One to watch
DON’T TELL SU (1.20 Exeter, treble)
Won a Chepstow bumper in April and looked a nice prospect when second on his first spin over timber at the Welsh track on comeback. The horse he was just two lengths behind has gone on to take a Grade 2 contest since then and Paul Nicholls’ hopeful should build on that promising effort.
Templegate’s tips
LINGFIELD
12.00 Musical Mystery
Just pipped at Wolverhampton last time out.
12.30 Mart
Has won his past two and every chance of a hat-trick.
1.00 Stintino Sunset
Consistent and plenty in hand at Chelmsford latest.
1.30 Largo Bay
Been knocking on the door and this looks a good chance.
2.00 Rocking Ends
Will be happy to get back on the all-weather.
2.30 Media Guest
Finished strongly when a bit unlucky here last time.
3.00 Nature Watch
Can build on a close second at Wolver on debut.
3.30 Shalfa
Another good effort when third here last time out.
HEXHAM
12.15 Lunar Discovery
Impressive winner in the mud here last time out.
12.45 Bebside Banter (nb)
Was a revelation on chasing debut when winning.
1.15 Zwicky
In fine form and went close again at Doncaster last time.
1.45 Ballylinch (nap)
Has run well on both chase runs with more to come.
2.15 Rowdy Romeo
Has gone close in stronger races across the Irish Sea.
2.45 Travail D’Orfevre
Battled hard to score at Carlisle last time out.
3.20 Velasco
Likes it here and good effort at Newcastle latest.
EXETER
12.20 Jemura
Can build on a fair hurdling debut at Kempton last time.
12.50 Percy Veering
Has won his past two well and will be right there.
1.20 Don’t Tell Su
Looked a nice prospect when second on hurdles debut.
1.50 Sir Psycho
Impressive back over fences at Ascot latest.
2.20 Libor Lad
Loved the mud when scoring at Uttoxeter last time out.
2.50 Domaine De L’Isle
Is best when slogging through mud over long trips.
3.25 Quebecois
Expensive buy who can strike on debut for top yard.
LEICESTER
1.05 Apple Away
Grade 1 hurdler who can build on solid chase debut.
1.35 Lord Of Kerak
Decent effort after long break at Aintree last time out.
2.05 Royal Mer
Took well to fences when winning on comeback.
2.35 Benny Silver
Proving consistent and will be right in the mix again.
3.05 Mylesofwicklow
Improved when winning over fences at Huntingdon.
3.35 Brulure Noire
Has plenty in hand at Ffos Las last time out.
KEMPTON
5.00 Perfect Spring
Good return to the all-weather when second at Kempton.
5.30 Rascal Recknell
Was less than a length away at Sandown latest.
6.00 Flying Finn
Oisin Murphy looks an interesting booking for the yard.
6.30 Fouroneohfever
Improved on debut when second at Newcastle latest.
7.00 Sandy Paradise
Consistent and another good effort here when last seen.
7.30 Rebel’s Romance (treble)
Proven Group 1 performer should be much too good.
8.00 Holy Fire
Has a good record on the AW and best over this trip.
8.30 Moorgate
In form and will be happy over this longer distance.
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