TEMPLEGATE tackles an incredible Saturday of racing confident of slamming home a few winners.
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BOOTHILL (3.15 Ascot, nap)
He was so impressive when scoring over course and distance earlier this month. He jumped well and never looked like losing. A 6lb rise for that comeback success seems very fair and he gets similar ground conditions today. This can cement him as more than a handicapper.
FAMOUS BRIDGE (3.35 Haydock, nb)
He made one late minor mistake on comeback at Ayr last time and that was the difference between winning and finishing a half-length fourth. It was a good comeback and built nicely on his two Wetherby wins at the back end of last season. He will appreciate this longer trip and can strike for Nicky Richards.
THEATRE GLORY (2.05 Ascot, treble)
She can make the most of the weight she’s getting from the fellas and score on comeback. She did well last season, winning a Warwick Listed contest over this trip before a solid effort in the Mares’ Grade 1 at the Festival. She signed off with a close-up second in good company at Sandown. She stays well and will like the ground so has every chance.
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Telly verdicts
ASCOT
1.30
SHISHKIN loves Ascot and has won Grade 1 contests on his two visits here. One of those was the Ascot Chase in February when he gave today’s main rival Pic D’Orhy a 16-length beating. After a close-up second in the Ryanair, Nicky Henderson upped Shishkin to three miles for the first time at Aintree and he scored again at the highest level. This decent ground will be ideal and he should be fit enough to do himself justice. Pic D’Orhy will be no pushover and finished last season with a personal best when taking the Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree. He likes this trip but will need to be at his very best. Minella Drama is match fit from his good second at Aintree last month and can hold Straw Fan Jack for third place.
2.05
THEATRE GLORY can make the most of the weight she’s getting from the fellas and score on comeback. She did well last season, winning a Warwick Listed contest over this trip before a solid effort in the Mares’ Grade 1 at the Festival. She signed off with a close-up second in good company at Sandown. She stays well and will like the ground so has every chance. Goshen won a weaker renewal of this 12 months ago and his best form would take him very close. The problem is you’re not guaranteed to get his best form. He was backed for the Ces on the Flat latest before running a stinker. Sceau Royal hasn’t looked the same horse for a while now and disappointed at Kempton. Blueking D’Oroux tanked along to win at Cheltenham and oculd be a bigger threat.
3.15
BOOTHILL was so impressive when scoring over course and distance earlier this month. He jumped well and never looked like losing. A 6lb rise for that comeback success seems very fair and he gets similar ground conditions today. This can cement him as more than a handicapper. Triple Trade took a big step forward when scoring at Cheltenham eight days ago. He’s in deeper water here but could have more to offer carrying a 5lb penalty. Saint Segal was no match for Boothill last time but may have been in need of the run after seven months off. He’s down the weights and has place claims again. Frere D’Armes and Funambole Sivola looked rusty in that race too. Corrigeen Rock had plenty in hand when scoring at Kempton but will need more from 7lb higher.
HAYDOCK
1.15
PARK HILL DANCER was impressive when scoring on handicap debut at Uttoxeter last time. He travelled strongly and jumped well so he can take this higher grade in his stride. Irish trainer Stuart Crawford has two good chances. Carnfunnock won over a similar trip at Naas before a good Listed effort at Kelso. He’ll be a threat along with stablemate Park Annonciade who battled to score at Ayr three weeks ago. Both are right in the mix again. Lunar Power is fit from the Flat and scored on his last hurdles run for Noel Meade. He was midfield in the Triumph Hurdle as a youngster and has solid place claims. Fingal’s Hill made it four wins on the spin at Carlisle. He’s creeping up the weights so will need more. Similar comments apply to Luttrell Lad.
1.50
GAILLARD DU MESNIL was third in the Grand National after winning the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham but he has enough class for this shorter trip. Willie Mullins will have him fit enough to do himself justice. Apple Away is interesting on chase debut for Lucinda Russell. She won a Grade 1 hurdle at Aintree last time and should be well schooled from her top yard. It’s asking a lot to win this on debut but she’s worth a close look. Grey Dawning is another who achieved plenty over hurdles and showed promise when third on chase debut at Exeter earlier this month. You would expect him to build on that for the Skeltons with plenty from the yard needing their first run. Scipion and Hardy Bloke have a mountain to climb in this company.
2.20
LORD SNOOTIE has run well in Ireland on his past two runs including when badly hampered two out at Galway last time. He was tanking along before being knocked sideways in that hot contest. His last UK run saw him go close in good company at Uttoxeter and he looks ahead of the handicapper. Emitom was a good second at Newbury on comeback after winning there in March. Alan King’s hope is off the same mark and has every chance again. Crambo didn’t really break sweat when scoring at Aintree last month. He’s up a fair 6lb and should have more to offer. Slate Lane has been winning well in lower grades and can improve enough to figure. Fine Margin makes his debut for Willie Mullins and could be well ahead of the handicapper. Hold-up horse Santos Blue is consistent but will need luck in running.
3.00
I’M sticking with PROTEKTORAT to upset Bravemansgame and win this race for the second year running. Dan Skelton will have him spot on for this race, which is his main target for the season. His very best form has come on flat tracks like Haydock and he was so impressive when taking this 12 months ago. This is the time of year to catch him and he’s best when fresh. Make no mistake, Bravemansgame is a tough nut to crack but he is being readied for Kempton on Boxing Day and was beaten fair and square in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby last time. Paul Nicholls is adamant that he has stable star at his best hence his short price. We’ll also have to see how Daryl Jacob gets on with him. Corach Rambler was too bad to be true on comeback at Kelso and won the Ultima over this trip so can’t be dismissed. Royale Pagaille is classy but would prefer more testing ground to slow the others down.
3.35
FAMOUS BRIDGE made one late minor mistake on comeback at Ayr last time and that was the difference between winning and finishing a half-length fourth. It was a good comeback and built nicely on his two Wetherby wins at the back end of last season. He will appreciate this longer trip and can strike for Nicky Richards. Wasdell Dundalk has been kept busy and went close at Carlisle 20 days ago. He stays strongly and can hit the frame again. Credo returned with a gutsy win at Wincanton and can figure again despite a 7lb rise. She’s a real stayer so rain would help her chances. Watch the betting for clues about Eleanor Bob for in-form Venetia Williams. She has been off for 626 days but is on a fair weight and could figure. Docpickedme came back from six months off with a good second at Warwick. He has won over this trip and is another to consider. Haute Estime didn’t fire at Carlisle and may want a shorter trip.
Templegate’s tips
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